BMW Vision ConnectedDrive at 2011 Geneva Motor Show
The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will see the world premier of
the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive concept car. The concept study,
in a two-seat roadster guise, presents the automobile as a fully
integrated part of the networked world in both its design and
technological innovations. It is with this concept that BMW
presents the potential of current and future in-car technology for
optimizing comfort, safety and infotainment.
The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive employs a layering principal in its
design, demonstrating the bond between the driver, passenger,
vehicle and the surrounding environment. This is visualised
by the complex light installation which shows the path of data
exchange with the driver and passenger as the start and end point
of each interaction.
Layered Design
The interior is divided into three layers – comfort,
infotainment and safety – each with a corresponding light
installation. Each layer is defined by a colour,
rhythm, motion and texture and, through the transparent surfaces
the path taken by the information can be seen via fiber optic
lighting.
The first layer focuses on safety, with a red light wrapping around
the driver and coming together in a cone on the bonnet. This
represents the flow of safety-specific information and the driver’s
focus on the road ahead. The second layer encompasses the
safety layer and extends to the passenger cell, focusing on
infotainment. This layer promotes active social exchangement
between the driver and passenger and is outlined by the blue ribbon
of light. The final layer, defined by the green light flow,
concentrates on the interaction of the vehicle with the world
around it. The emphasis is on the outside of the vehicle,
starting and ending with the two antennas, in place of wing
mirrors, providing the data link to the surrounding
environment.
Multi Role Components
The layering principal in the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive requires
individual components to perform a number of roles. This can
be seen in the headlights and rear lights with their integrated
sensors monitoring the traffic and external environment which feed
information directly to the driver allowing him to take appropriate
action.
The concept embodies the dynamic BMW design language with its long
wheelbase, set back seating position and long bonnet but combines
it with taut surfaces and distinctive flowing lines. This
results in an interesting play of light and shadow making the car
appear as if it is accelerating even at a standstill. The
sliding doors, inspired by those on the BMW Z1, disappear into the
body of the car. This allows the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive to
be driven with the doors open, emphasising the link between the
vehicle and its environment.
A Vision of the Future
The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive showcases the current and future
capabilities of BMW’s ConnectedDrive technologies. Advanced
Head-Up Display takes the technology currently available in
production BMWs even further, placing a three-dimensional display
of key information in the direct sight line of the driver,
eliminating the need for the driver’s eyes to refocus. The
three-dimensional display allows the real view to be overlaid with
virtual information, highlighting hazards allowing the driver to
assimilate all of the information quickly and take appropriate
action.
In addition to Advanced Head-Up Display the BMW Vision
ConnectedDrive is equipped with a freely programmable instrument
cluster to provide the driver with additional information,
optically emphasised to a greater or lesser degree. While for
the first time passengers get their own information display, out of
the driver’s field of vision, allowing them to evaluate
information, music or navigation details and pass them onto the
driver with a simple touch of a finger.
The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive demonstrates the interaction between
the driver and the passenger and shows how networking with the
environment can reach new levels.
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