Tencent Auto News On January 6, BMW unveiled four new theme models, BMW suspension giant screen, BMW electric vehicle sound wave simulation and "electronic ink" technology at the 2022 North American Consumer Electronics Show.
It is worth noting that at this exhibition, BMW released the "cinema mode" future in-car entertainment system for the first time. Under the "Cinema Mode", BMW has built the rear space into an exclusive private theater through the "BMW Floating Giant Screen", and through the adjustment of lighting and sun blinds, 5G interconnection high-speed and smooth playback has created an unparalleled luxury in-car entertainment experience for users.
"We offer our users an immersive, digital driving pleasure." Mr. Wei Bofan, Director of R&D at the BMW Group, said: "Under the 'cinema mode', the rear space of the vehicle will become a private cinema. With a 31-inch ultra-wide 8K resolution display, 5G connectivity, surround sound, and customized streaming programs, BMW creates an unprecedented experience that sets a new benchmark for in-car entertainment. ”
The "BMW Suspension Giant Screen" is equipped with a 31-inch ultra-wide panoramic display with a resolution of up to 8K in terms of hardware, integrated in the car's canopy system, which can be extended from the canopy to the front seat back, and in terms of safety, the BMW suspension giant screen has undergone multiple crash tests. In terms of content, BMW and Amazon Fire TV provide users with a wealth of cutting-edge entertainment content.
In the Chinese market, BMW will also collaborate with local Chinese suppliers to provide an in-car entertainment experience that meets the preferences of Chinese users. Mr. Gao Le, President and CEO of the BMW Group Greater China, said: "China has become a global leader in innovation and a key driver of digitalization. China's movements will lead the world, and with the 'China First' principle, BMW will accelerate the digitalization process." ”
In 2021, BMW launched the new BMW iDrive, along with three themed modes – Personality, Sport and Energy Saving. During celes show 2022, BMW released four new theme models, namely "Soothing Mode", "Joyful Mode", "Digital Art Mode", and "Cinema Mode", of which The Soothing and Joyful Mode will be launched in the second half of 2022, when users can get the new theme mode through the remote upgrade of OTA.
The BMW Group announced that it will join hands with Cao Fei, an internationally renowned multimedia artist and designer of the 18th BMW art car, to create a "Digital Art Model". BMW thus became one of the first automakers in the world to apply digital art to the car.
In addition, the BMW Group teamed up with the internationally renowned composer Hans Zimmer, a Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner, to create the sound of the electric future – the BMW electric vehicle acoustic simulation.
Outside, BMW has designed the Pedestrian Acoustic Warning Function (AVAS) to ensure safety by allowing pedestrians to perceive nearby vehicles. Inside the car, BMW designed exclusive sound effects for each "theme mode", each sound effect has a rich sense of layering, and all match the visual effects presented under different "theme modes". For example, select "Soothing Mode", the sound effect is intended to relax the driver, the vehicle will become a comfortable mobile oasis, the driver will be surrounded by a warm and relaxing sound, experience a calm and leisurely journey; "Joyful Mode", the sound effect is more focused on the emotional expression of the driver and occupants.
To this end, BMW and Hans Zimmer reinterpreted the sounds of traditional instruments such as the violin and orchestral instruments such as the French horn, creating a more magnificent, free and more emotional expression of the driver and passenger in a more futuristic way. BMW electric vehicle sound wave simulation will be the first to be installed on the innovative BMW i4 in the first half of 2022, and will be gradually applied to more BMW electric models in the future.
The personalization shown by BMW's new digital technology is not limited to the inside of the car, but also "exposed" on the surface of the car. At this exhibition, BMW presented a latest research result. Using the unique technology of "e-ink", the body color change function was successfully realized on the innovative BMW iX.
"E-ink" contains millions of transparent microcapsules, just the thickness of a single hair. Each microcapsule contains a negatively charged white pigment, as well as a positively charged black pigment. By controlling the electrodes on both sides of the microcapsule, the desired color appears on the body surface. BMW manufactures different sizes of "electronic ink" according to the pattern and the curvature of the car surface, which is then fixed to the car, and finally achieves a key change of color through the change of electrodes.
In addition, "electronic ink" not only changes the color of the body, but also helps to reduce energy consumption, providing a new direction for exploration and thinking for sustainable development. It is worth mentioning that the changeable body color is conducive to improving the comfort of the car and reducing the energy required for the electrical system. For example, the white surface can reflect more sunlight than black, if the body color is changed to a light color, the impact of strong external sunlight and high temperature on the interior of the vehicle can be reduced accordingly, and the interior such as the center console and dashboard can be prevented from overheating. In the case of lower temperatures, turning the body dark can help absorb more heat from sunlight, reduce the energy consumption required for air conditioning heating, and effectively increase the electric range.