BMW has taken its i8 and turned it into an autonomous vehicle to promote the Vision Zero idea of an accident-free environment. The i Vision Future Interaction is therefore a showcase of what a driver-to-car interaction might look like in years to come.
The i Vision is essentially an i8 Spyder with a new dashboard that makes use of innovations such as 3D displays, hand gesture commands, panoramic screens and HUDs. The i Vision can be controlled by the driver or used in an autonomous mode which allows the driver to preoccupy themselves with whatever they please, much like the Rinspeed Σtos we saw not too long ago.
The i Vision is able to communicate with devices such as smartphones and smart watches. These devices can immediately by mirrored to the 21-inch panoramic display mounted to the i Vision’s dash.
When in autonomous mode the 21-inch display can be used to make video calls, unrestricted access to web content, mails or audiovisual entertainment. All of these features are inaccessible once the driver takes control of the wheel. If drivers don’t want the full autonomous experience they are able to opt for an “Assist” setting which provides a helping hand for plotting the most efficient route, driving performance and safety risks alerts.
In between driving modes the interior also undergoes a few changes to the most suitable setting. When in its autonomous mode the cabin becomes more spacious with the retraction of the steering wheel and a centrally positioned arm-rest while the seats soften to provide a more comfortable surface. The driver’s seat also changes its angle so that it has a clear view of the panoramic display.
The i Vision Future Interaction is a static concept which means that few of the features mentioned will actually work at this present time.
