BMW Group debuts a “Vision Car” to demonstrate what the interior and the user interface of the future might look like with a contactless touchscreen dubbed “AirTouch” at the Consumer Electronics Show next month. The AirTouch menu – it’s claimed – reduces the number of steps needed to make a selection. This might cut down on the deadly driver distraction epidemic. More likely this is a precursor of offering additional control options when the vehicle is traveling in a highly automated mode.
AirTouch in the Vision Car allows the display in a vehicle to be operated like a touchscreen without actually having to make contact with the surface. Sensors record hand movements in the area between the central console and the interior mirror. This enables drivers or passengers to change the focus on the surface of the large panorama display. Allegedly “simple confirmation” selects the relevant menu item or activates an icon.
Last year BMW showed a new “Gesture Control” at the CES. It enables simple movements of a finger to carry out actions such as adjusting the loudness or accepting phone calls. This technology is now available as the optional “Gesture Control” in the new 7 Series. AirTouch appears to be the next step. Sensors are installed in the area of the instrument panel that respond to hand movements and permit three-dimensional control. A movement of the hand or a gesture activates the surfaces on the large display.
AirTouch also has another option to confirm an action. A concealed AirTouch button is located on the rim of the steering wheel. It lights up when a menu or icon can be activated. One tap is sufficient to activate the desired program or change a setting. The passenger also has a button like this positioned on the side sill in the door area. Passengers are able to use one hand to navigate through the menu, and the other hand to confirm inputs.
The AirTouch menu anticipates needs. For example, when activating the phone pad, the system automatically brings up contacts or call lists to the top select level so that a call can be made with just one additional action. AirTouch recognizes which selection and control steps are required next and displays them in advance.
