German automaker BMW has announced the launch of its new iDrive system, which promises to deliver an improved user experience with a range of new features and functionality. The iDrive system has been a key part of BMW’s in-car technology offering for over two decades, and the latest version represents a major upgrade over previous iterations.
The new iDrive system is designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly, with a new home screen that provides quick and easy access to all the key features and functions. The home screen features a zero-layer principle, which means that all relevant functions and information are displayed on a single level, making it easier to navigate and find what you’re looking for.
The system’s QuickSelect concept also allows for faster and more efficient access to entertainment programs, contact lists, vehicle settings, and other menu options. The improved menu structure takes its design inspiration from consumer electronic devices, aligning with user habits established with today’s electronic devices.
One of the standout features of the new iDrive system is its focus on natural language and touch interaction, with the BMW Curved Display serving as the point of interaction for the multi-sensory experience. The system is designed to provide the right information in the right place at the right time, enhancing the driving experience and allowing for safer and more focused driving.
The new iDrive system will be introduced gradually in current BMW models over the course of 2023. The BMW Operating System 8.5 will be introduced incrementally in the following models beginning in the summer of 2023: BMW 7 Series, BMW iX, BMW i4, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW X7, and BMW XM. The new BMW Operating System 9, based on Android Open Source Project software, will appear in the 2024 BMW X1.
Stephan Durach, Senior Vice President BMW Group Connected Company Development, said in a statement, “BMW iDrive is more than just a control and operating system – it’s a digital world of experience allowing human and car to interact with one another and exchange information. As we said at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2023, we are continuously enhancing the associated user experience based on the latest available technology.”
The new iDrive system also includes improved access to a range of specific online services, such as better information on charging points for electric vehicles. The system will also feature shorter function update cycles, allowing for faster and more efficient updates to key features and functions.
The new iDrive system represents a significant step forward for BMW’s in-car technology offering, with a range of new features and functionality that promise to enhance the driving experience and provide a more user-friendly and intuitive interface. As technology continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how BMW and other automakers continue to adapt and innovate to keep up with changing consumer habits and preferences.
