The BMW Panoramic Vision displays practical information on the bottom of the windshield for both the driver and passengers. — Photography Courtesy of BMW/AFP Relaxnews
A new type of head-up display that spans the entire width of the windshield will soon help drivers – and their passengers – access practical information about their journey as well as the on-board infotainment system without taking their eyes off the road.
German carmaker BMW is behind this project, which is set to be integrated into its future "Neue Klasse" production models, set to hit the market starting in 2025. This new head-up display is unique in that it extends over the entire width of the windshield. The driver and the passenger can take advantage of a large surface area for interactions that make information accessible without having to take their eyes off the road.
The tech system displays information on a dark area on the lower edge of the windshield for the driver, as well as for the front passenger. The driver can select the type of information to be displayed in their personal field of vision and can also decide whether or not to share the content with other passengers, all while respecting the principle of 'eyes on the road – hands on the wheel.'
The BMW Panoramic Vision display will be integrated into the brand's future electric models, built on a new technology platform that is expected to be rolled out by 2025.
While BMW is choosing to innovate with a panoramic display, other manufacturers are embracing different solutions. For instance Volkswagen is working on an augmented reality head-up display system, which projects practical navigation information into the driver's field of vision.
This isn't the only innovation unveiled by BMW this year. Back in January at CES, the manufacturer caused a sensation with the i Vision Dee, a concept car whose bodywork can change color. A total of 240 different areas, from the grille to the rear of the car, including the wheels and even the windows, can be switched up from one color to another, with a wide range of 32 colors available. That concept also featured a head-up display. – AFP Relaxnews
