Touchpad iDrive Controller Technology Preview

Jason · 05-29-2012, 07:01 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

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Preh GmbH, an automotive supplier to BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, of climate controls, driver controls, sensor systems, ECUs, and instruments panels, has released a clip which previews some of the uses and functions which a touchpad iDrive controller could incorporate and facilitate.

A prototype touchpad iDrive controller system has already been spied on the 2014 BMW X5 (F15) test mule, so we can expect it to begin appearing on BMW models by the end of 2013 / early 2014 with the release of the 2014 X5.

Some of the features shown in the video (such as blackpanel surfaces) are not relevant to our discussion, as it was part of a new center console design concept presented by Preh as the 2007 IAA, but what's interesting is seeing the use of an iDrive like controller knob with an integrated touchpad. You can see some of the potential uses for it, such as handwriting detection and multi-touch type gestures such as flicking and scrolling through lists.

Exactly how BMW actually implements the technology remains to be seen, but the potential for some innovative uses is certainly there. Whatever it is, hopefully it won't involve dramatic 80's electronic music.

Spy shot of the touchpad iDrive controller from next generation X5 (F15) prototype.

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zivyn · 05-29-2012, 08:05 PM

flick to scroll is nice on phones, but seems silly when you have the knob for more precise control.

also, why is that video 80's themed?

aajami · 05-29-2012, 08:09 PM

Mercedes is introducing a touchpad for the W205 C-class...

antzcrashing · 05-29-2012, 08:20 PM

great, something more distracting than idrive

numba1guju · 05-29-2012, 08:22 PM

hopefully cars available without the distraction and extra sensitive electronics...breaking this should cost a handful to fix if its not under warranty hahahaha...pretty fancy though, definitely like it

danblank · 05-29-2012, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Exactly how BMW actually implements the technology remains to be seen, but the potential for some innovative uses is certainly there. Whatever it is, hopefully it won't involve dramatic 80's electronic music.

Man. It's German. I would be disappointed not the hear the 80's soundtrack. I'm surprised the Hoff didn't start singing at some point.

CurbBender'90 · 05-29-2012, 08:55 PM

This vid does no justice at all, worthless especially with that music. Rather wait to they show the X5 in use with it...

Cuz5150 · 05-29-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

great, something more distracting than idrive

thinking along the same lines.......
Im guessing they have to offer it, due to Audi

Noobish · 05-29-2012, 09:22 PM

I would prefer to use the current iDrive. This takes too much attention/concentration to use it.

reprod · 05-29-2012, 09:23 PM

This seems more setup for Audi than BMW based on that video. I don think I need any of that in my life at the moment. The knob would have to be extremely large to make that realistic.

Z4-VILLA · 05-29-2012, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zivyn

flick to scroll is nice on phones, but seems silly when you have the knob for more precise control.

also, why is that video 80's themed?

because the technology has been out since for ever...lol

jtuds · 05-29-2012, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

great, something more distracting than idrive

yeah...i hope they don't do this. It's unnecessary and gimmicky

Shane550X · 05-29-2012, 10:00 PM

Why would anyone want this. The standard center stack is perfect the way it is, and In the video the software looked a bit jumpy and reaction time was super slow at points.

OdomPHD · 05-29-2012, 10:08 PM

I despise cheap touch screens....and that looks like a cheap touch screen. If you aren't gonna go big, go home BMW.

Stick with what you do best, sports cars. Not electronics. Gizmos are fun but I have ZERO problem with the way things are in the cabin now. Some people bi*ch about this and that, but I never even notice and nor do my passengers. Would they notice the massive screens everywhere? sure. Points for being "cool,"? Sure. Points on your license for fuhking with the iDrive touch screen in a school zone doing 55mph... Whoops.

shoptb · 05-29-2012, 10:09 PM

I love new technology and seeing how it can improve the user's interactions. This, however, doesn't really seem to improve anything...in fact, I would see it as ~more intrusive/distracting~ than the current iDrive. I hope BMW doesn't jump on this ... technology for technology's sake.

Jason · 05-29-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane550X

Why would anyone want this. The standard center stack is perfect the way it is, and In the video the software looked a bit jumpy and reaction time was super slow at points.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OdomPHD

I despise cheap touch screens....and that looks like a cheap touch screen. If you aren't gonna go big, go home BMW.

Relax folks.

As the post says, this is just a concept that was brought out by this automotive supplier company for demo purposes at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show. This doesn't show what BMW's implementation, software, interface, nor performance will be like. It was posted just to show what kind of use a touchpad idrive knob could be used for.

boarchicken · 05-29-2012, 10:14 PM

for the love of german engineering please make it stop!!!

damn, annoying ass music. they should make their interface more like infiniti. imo they made it perfect, touchscreen + a knob.

OdomPHD · 05-29-2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason

Relax folks.

As the post says, this is just a concept that was brought out by this automotive supplier company for demo purposes at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show. This doesn't show what BMW's implementation, software, interface, nor performance will be like. It was posted just to show what kind of use a touchpad idrive knob could be used for.

As an investor (many of us at BimmerPost are BMW AG affiliated), the point you make about suppliers rings true, Jason.

Suppliers pitch their products just like any other company and BMW's suppliers do the same. But, as many US auto companys will attest to, can the supplier supply a product which won't drag down the interior quality of the car with cheap/hard to use technology that merely distracts the driver as opposed to assissting him? Technology for technology's sake is bad. But, if BMW can find a way to implement it with a minimal learning curve and (iPhone) familiar touch screen technology I don't see anything wrong with my favorite Bavarians ushering in the "next best thing" in car interiors. Hell, afterall....I own Bavarian Motor Werken stock. I invested in their carbon fiber aquisition and I will continue to follow BMW on their upward trend. In fact, I've already paid for my next F32 (4)335i with my foresight in BMW.

ferrari6891 · 05-29-2012, 10:50 PM

I felt like I was in a time machine through the entire video

Imola.ZHP · 05-29-2012, 11:00 PM

Interesting, the 80's music was cracking me up though, I was picturing this in a Delorean...

positiveions · 05-29-2012, 11:24 PM

next: touchpad to shift gears, turn the ignition on, etc...
I predicted that. My friend disagreed with me.

vase330 · 05-29-2012, 11:33 PM

Hmmmmm, no likieeee!!!

Leave the mobile device gadgetry off automobiles. Overdone.

05-29-2012, 07:01 PM	#1
Jason Administrator 43676 Rep 21,325 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Touchpad iDrive Controller Technology Preview BIMMERPOST NEWS Touchpad iDrive Controller Technology Preview 40 COMMENTS Tweet Preh GmbH, an automotive supplier to BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, of climate controls, driver controls, sensor systems, ECUs, and instruments panels, has released a clip which previews some of the uses and functions which a touchpad iDrive controller could incorporate and facilitate. A prototype touchpad iDrive controller system has already been spied on the 2014 BMW X5 (F15) test mule, so we can expect it to begin appearing on BMW models by the end of 2013 / early 2014 with the release of the 2014 X5. Some of the features shown in the video (such as blackpanel surfaces) are not relevant to our discussion, as it was part of a new center console design concept presented by Preh as the 2007 IAA, but what's interesting is seeing the use of an iDrive like controller knob with an integrated touchpad. You can see some of the potential uses for it, such as handwriting detection and multi-touch type gestures such as flicking and scrolling through lists. Exactly how BMW actually implements the technology remains to be seen, but the potential for some innovative uses is certainly there. Whatever it is, hopefully it won't involve dramatic 80's electronic music. Spy shot of the touchpad iDrive controller from next generation X5 (F15) prototype.
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05-29-2012, 08:05 PM	#2
zivyn First Lieutenant 29 Rep 378 Posts Drives: for enjoyment Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West coast transplant iTrader: (13)	flick to scroll is nice on phones, but seems silly when you have the knob for more precise control. also, why is that video 80's themed?
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05-29-2012, 08:09 PM	#3
aajami Brigadier General 436 Rep 4,567 Posts Drives: Space Gray '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA iTrader: (4)	Mercedes is introducing a touchpad for the W205 C-class... __________________ '09 E92 M3: Space Gray, Black, Carbon Leather \| ZTP 2MK ZPP 2MT 6FL \| link 1 / link 2 Mods: M Performance exhaust \| ZCP retrofit \| Euro airbox \| GTS DCT flash \| JPN 240 ECU flash \| Euro LCI taillights \| CRT lip \| OEM alarm retrofit \| Space Gray bumper plugs \| BMW Performance: Mk. II spoiler / Mk. II non-electronic steering wheel / mirror caps / front grilles / side gills / intake louvers / emblem
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05-29-2012, 08:20 PM	#4
antzcrashing Brigadier General 1967 Rep 3,258 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Eastern MA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i GC xD ... [9.75]	great, something more distracting than idrive
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05-29-2012, 08:22 PM	#5
numba1guju Lieutenant 27 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2015 VW Jetta Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	hopefully cars available without the distraction and extra sensitive electronics...breaking this should cost a handful to fix if its not under warranty hahahaha...pretty fancy though, definitely like it __________________ SOLD: 2013 328i Mineral Gray ZMM/ZLP/Heated Seats SOLD: 2002 325i Jet Black ZPP
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05-29-2012, 08:55 PM	#7
CurbBender'90 S 76 Rep 440 Posts Drives: 2010 S65 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: West.Bloom iTrader: (1)	This vid does no justice at all, worthless especially with that music. Rather wait to they show the X5 in use with it... __________________ DCK
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05-29-2012, 09:22 PM	#9
Noobish New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: E39 / E60 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central America iTrader: (0)	I would prefer to use the current iDrive. This takes too much attention/concentration to use it.
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05-29-2012, 09:23 PM	#10
reprod Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: '16 M3 ZCP Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (6)	This seems more setup for Audi than BMW based on that video. I don think I need any of that in my life at the moment. The knob would have to be extremely large to make that realistic. __________________ '11 Space Grey E92 335xi M-Sport (KWv1 Coils \| Saddle Brown \| Bamboo) (Returned) '14 Mineral Grey F32 335i M-Sport (Dinan DHP \| LED Lights \| Coral Red \| Hexagonal Aluminum) (Returned) '16 Mineral Grey F80 M3 ZCP
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05-29-2012, 10:00 PM	#13
Shane550X Private First Class 129 Rep 156 Posts Drives: '18 M550i xDrive, '13 VW CC, Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Why would anyone want this. The standard center stack is perfect the way it is, and In the video the software looked a bit jumpy and reaction time was super slow at points.
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05-29-2012, 10:09 PM	#15
shoptb Major 181 Rep 1,063 Posts Drives: '19 G01 X3 m40i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Denver Area iTrader: (0)	I love new technology and seeing how it can improve the user's interactions. This, however, doesn't really seem to improve anything...in fact, I would see it as ~more intrusive/distracting~ than the current iDrive. I hope BMW doesn't jump on this ... technology for technology's sake. __________________ Delivered --> '21 G01 X3 M40i, 8SA, Sunstone Metallic with Cognac Vernasca, 22Z, ZDA, ZDB, ZPK, ZPP w/ 4HA, ZPX, 2VF, 3AC, 4K1, 688, 6NW, 5DF Past --> ?19 G01 X3 m40i, 15 F33 328xi, 8SA, '13 F30 328i, '08 E92 335xi, '95 E34 530i, '88 E30 M3
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05-29-2012, 10:14 PM	#17
boarchicken Private 8 Rep 74 Posts Drives: currently g35 2008 sedan Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Glendale iTrader: (0)	for the love of german engineering please make it stop!!! damn, annoying ass music. they should make their interface more like infiniti. imo they made it perfect, touchscreen + a knob.
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05-29-2012, 10:50 PM	#19
ferrari6891 the original brown guy 117 Rep 1,011 Posts Drives: '22 MBB/SO X5M Comp Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: NJ/NYC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011.75 E90 M3 [7.66]	I felt like I was in a time machine through the entire video __________________ PREVIOUS 2019 G05 X5 M50 AG/BLK 2017 F15 X5 5.0 M Sport AW/BLK 2011 E90 ///M3 AW/FR 2008 E92 ///M3 IB/BLK
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05-29-2012, 11:00 PM	#20
Imola.ZHP Colonel 129 Rep 2,218 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW i3 BEV EE Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mud Island, TN iTrader: (0)	Interesting, the 80's music was cracking me up though, I was picturing this in a Delorean... __________________ - 2014 CPO i01 BEV Electronaut Edition Capparis White Tera World, '17- - 2015 CPO i01 BEV Laurel Grey Tera World, '17- - 2015 i01 REx Laurel Grey Tera World, '15-'17 - 2003 CPO 330i ZHP Imola Red Build 03/03/03, '06-'15
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05-29-2012, 11:24 PM	#21
positiveions Lieutenant General 976 Rep 11,725 Posts Drives: 19 Tacoma, 16 Golf wagon Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upland, CA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2019 Toyota Tacoma [0.00] 2016 VW Golf Sports ... [0.00] 1998 BMW M3 [0.00] 1990 BMW 325is [0.00]	next: touchpad to shift gears, turn the ignition on, etc... I predicted that. My friend disagreed with me.
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05-29-2012, 11:33 PM	#22
vase330 Colonel 103 Rep 2,760 Posts Drives: 19 E63S; 15.5 RangeRover ATB Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Arlington, Va iTrader: (1)	Hmmmmm, no likieeee!!! Leave the mobile device gadgetry off automobiles. Overdone. __________________ E92 335 \| Space Gray \| Saddle Brown Dakota \| Dark Burl Trim \| ZPP \| ZSP \| AT \| Idrive \| 6FL \| FBO \| Dinan CAI \| Quaife LSD \| STG3 PROCede.
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