BMW Reinventing the Dashboard
For a good chunk of its history, BMW‘s dashboard layout was as straightforward as it got. Large and clear instrumentation, an orange glow, and a driver-oriented center stack. However, all of that changed at the turn of the millennium.
It all started with the E65 7 Series that integrated an infotainment system into the cabin’s design. Not long after that, several competitors followed, and it’s almost impossible to find a car without some form of infotainment inside these days.
Today, we have the whole ‘screens stuck to the dash’ look that nearly everyone does these days. Given how the industry is moving now, we’re moving further and further away from traditional layouts, for better or worse. Meanwhile, BMW wants to change all that with its Panoramic Vision.
BMW
What is Panoramic Vision?
Instead of a traditional cluster display or having all the driving-related information on a screen, BMW moved it to the windshield cowl. It eliminates the need for having extra wide screens by bundling it all in one package. That’s the theory, at least.
BMW claims that this layout has an advantage over current setups. The company says all relevant information is right at the driver’s line of sight, reducing eye movement and, ultimately, driver distraction. Panoramic Vision is not a screen, despite appearances. Instead, it’s a projection coming from the base of the windshield. It spans the entire width of the dashboard and will be applied to more models down the line.
Speaking to BMW Blog, Adrian Van Hooydonk, BMW Group Head of Design, said this about the concept. “I think future customers will want to be able to bring their digital life into the car. People spend a lot of time online, no matter where they are. The challenge, of course, is how you can make that happen in a driving environment. Looking at BMW, it becomes even harder because the whole brand is built around a driving sensation. So once we found the Panoramic Vision, we felt we had something that could solve this conundrum.”
Any Neat Features?
Turns out, the displays are customizable. Drivers can choose to place the widgets on the right or left for right-hand drive markets to allow for more personalization. These can be changed via the vehicle’s infotainment system. Up to six different widgets can be swiped from the iDrive touchscreen onto the windshield.
The entire thing runs on BMW’s Operating System X. Like iDrive 9, it’s still Android-based but has far greater processing power. As it is, Panoramic Vision is a head-up display, but there’s an option for a second one for those who’d like even more information projected on the windshield. As for those concerned about the display washing out in the sunlight, BMW says it has it covered. Fans of polarized sunglasses also need not worry.
Admittedly, the look takes some getting used to. We’ve become accustomed to past and present dashboard layouts, and this is a huge step in interior design. Whether it’s a step in the right direction remains to be seen, and the only way we can judge it is by getting behind the wheel of an iX3 or i3.
BMW
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