BMW iDrive
Transforming Dashboard Design for the Automotive Future.
The excitment of uncharted territory.
iDrive is an in-car communications and entertainment system, used to control most secondary vehicle systems.
Research & Development.
It's not often that I have the opportunity to design something for the first time. It's simultaneously exhilarating and nerve-wracking to delve into such a specialized and niche product, with distinct use-cases and technical constraints, all while competing with established experts in the field. Without any insider knowledge, I conducted extensive research to form as many assumptions as possible, aiming to lay the groundwork for bringing these designs to fruition as a cohesive whole.
80% Sketching 20% Design.
It took me some time before I even considered opening any software to bring an idea to life. I aimed to design something that could be implemented immediately; not some extravagant, futuristic dashboard UI that might look stunning but would be a technical nightmare, more fitting for a Star Trek spaceship than a car in 2020.
It was crucial for me to consider the specific design elements of the vehicles: the materials, colors, lighting; I wanted to create something that would seamlessly integrate with the physical vehicle, aligning with its outer shell.
This one-week exercise was truly exciting.
In the end, it became evident to me that what I accomplished was, at best, just the initial stages of something larger.
Numerous iterations and additional features would be necessary to approach a final product. More research is also required.
However, I'm consistently fascinated by the prospect of engaging in less mainstream projects, particularly working with cutting-edge technology that is still in its infancy, addressing real-world problems, especially (in this case) when it comes to enhancing driving safety, aiding drivers in making better decisions, and reducing the likelihood of errors. It's incredibly fulfilling.
iDrive brings together the BMW Operating System.
A new generation of display and operating elements, and ultra-high-performance connectivity. Having the right information at the right spot directly on your BMW Curved Display transforms your car into a multi-sensory experience.
