Cars & Autos | Monday 14 January, 2019 4:59 am |

At the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from January 8 – 11, 2019, the BMW Group will present its vision of intelligent connectivity to the public, highlighting the potential for future individual mobility. The focal point of the company’s CES showcase will be the BMW Vision iNEXT, which looks ahead to the future of driving pleasure, and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which, as an on-board expert and the soul of the BMW, constitutes the central element for interaction between the driver, their vehicle, and their digital world. The BMW Vision iNEXT forms the optical highlight of the exhibition stand, which also showcases the interior design principle “My Favorite Space” with harmonious, natural surfaces and technology that is kept discreetly out of sight. A sophisticated mixed-reality installation also provides a virtual impression of the future driving experience promised by the BMW Vision iNEXT.

The BMW Vision iNEXT combines ground-breaking design with the future areas of activity defined in the company’s Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT – Autonomous Driving, Connectivity, Electrification, and Services (D+ACES) – and answers the question: “What will cars look like when they no longer have to be driven by a person, but still can be?” The interior can be a place for relaxation, interaction, entertainment, or concentration, as preferred. It is more like a comfortable and fashionably furnished “living space” on wheels – a new “Favorite Space”. A new design principle, referred to as “Shy Tech”, plays an especially important part in this. To preserve the high-end, yet cozy character of the rear compartment, and place its occupants center-stage, the intelligent technology behind the operating controls is integrated out of sight. It only becomes visible and operable when required by the driver or passengers. Two additional exhibits clearly demonstrate the “Shy Tech” principle and technology installed in the BMW Vision iNEXT to CES visitors. The BMW Vision iNEXT is also part of the customer’s digital world and seamlessly integrated into the network that connects smart devices, smart home, and digital services.

Transforming the BMW Group exhibition stand into a “Favorite Space”.     
The BMW Group is also taking a visionary approach to the design of its exhibition stand for the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). As in the BMW Vision iNEXT itself, technological innovations are not prominently visible within the presentation area; the focus instead is on creating a relaxed overall experience that conveys the idea of enhanced quality of life. Visitors’ needs and wants are fulfilled by near-invisible technology and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant to create an individual retreat or “Favorite Space”. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant greets visitors as soon as they arrive at the stand and guides them through the gardenlike entrance area into the heart of the exhibition. The entrance, with its Arcadian landscape of paths, with sound showers and light projections to attract attention, is a unique experience in itself.

There are various opportunities to interact with the personal assistant on the path through the exhibition area. These include an interactive wall providing information on the newest BMW Connected and BMW ConnectedDrive digital services, with a focus on “Making the most of my vehicle” and “Making the most of my driving time.”

Bringing the future to life: first virtual drive in the BMW Vision iNEXT.    
The series-production model based on the BMW Vision iNEXT – the brand’s new technology flagship – will enter production in 2021. At the CES 2019, thanks to a sophisticated mixed-reality simulation, it will be possible for the first time to take a seat in the BMW Vision iNEXT and embark on a virtual, fully connected autonomous driving experience.

The portion of the day experienced in mixed reality illustrates many aspects of the BMW Vision iNEXT and provides an exciting glimpse of the mobility of the future. The aim of the future scenario, experienced with all the senses, is to show visitors what it feels like to be on the road in the BMW Vision iNEXT: The day is planned to perfection and driving time is used efficiently – whether for work, errands, relaxation, or for interacting with friends. The focus here is on seamless integration of the vehicle into the customer’s digital life. The possibilities offered by the vehicle and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant enable a smooth-running mobility experience, completely stress-free and proactively adapted to each situation.

The simulation imagines a day in the year 2025, with a futuristic megacity as its backdrop. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant guides and accompanies the visitor throughout the experience. To begin, an augmented reality mobility window displays the scenario of the upcoming tour, including tasks, appointments, and charging status for the all-electric BMW Vision iNEXT. The personal assistant uses this to plan out the ideal schedule for the day, taking into account options for bidirectional energy management.

The visitor then puts on the VR glasses and soon becomes immersed in the virtual world. After riding the elevator, they step out into the street of the virtual city, where the BMW Vision iNEXT awaits with a personalized welcome and lighting effects.

As the driver takes a seat, their digital world seamlessly connects to the vehicle and the journey begins. Initially, the human driver takes control of the vehicle (in "Boost” mode). The windshield becomes an augmented-reality screen with information about the drive and surroundings. As soon as the vehicle reaches the highway, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant suggests that the vehicle take over driving from here and the journey continues autonomously. The steering wheel and pedals disappear, creating an open and spacious feeling. A video conference is scheduled for shortly after and to set up the interior, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant suggests switching to "Executive” mode, which transforms the cockpit into a mobile office. The windshield becomes the screen showing the people participating in the videoconference, while shared documents can be viewed at the same time on the Control Display.

Once the videoconference is finished, another task that can be taken care of on the go is displayed. For this, the driver’s preferred, fully integrated shopping application is opened. Within the app, the personal assistant guides the driver and assists them throughout the buying process. The purchased item will be delivered punctually by drone directly to the vehicle’s destination: home. A short time later, the vehicle receives a real-time signal from the front door of the driver’s smart home. Friends have rung the doorbell and are waiting to be let in. The video camera mounted on the front door relays the image directly into the vehicle, and, via an integrated remote function, the driver is able to open the door. On the final leg of the journey, the driver is told that the friends at home have already tuned in to the pre-game coverage of the football game they arranged to watch on TV. The driver starts streaming the show on the vehicle’s windshield, arrives home in time for kick-off, and they are all able to enjoy the game together.

BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant of the future: the intelligent companion inside and outside the vehicle.    
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant learns routines and habits, so it can apply them in the appropriate context in the future. It assists the driver, learns their preferences, and becomes familiar with their preferred settings – such as seat heating or destinations they frequently navigate to. It benefits from continuous technical upgrades and learns more preferences and preferred settings as time goes by. Updates performed over the air with the Remote Software Upgrade facility constantly add new functions and capabilities.

In its future form, the digital companion will be even more intelligent, forward-looking, and better connected: It will bridge the gap between the vehicle, its extensive functions, and people’s digital lives. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant manages mobility needs, organizes the day, and performs complex tasks that extend beyond the vehicle. As an intelligent digital guide for mobile life, it plans the daily schedule, manages personal calendars and to-do lists, makes suggestions, and handles a variety of digital services.