BMW’s new infotainment system and dash goes Touch Free

If you’ve ever driven a BMW you’ll be across its iDrive interface. It’s a central rotary dial that is now in its fifth update. However the future of BMW’s take on in-car control is about to alter dramatically, it’s called BMW HoloActive Touch.

HoloActive was essentially born at CES 2016 when BMW presented a panoramic display, operated like a touchscreen but with no actual contact involved. HoloActive goes a step further with a free-floating virtual display that is projected above the centre console. Using finger movements to control the system, the driver even receives tactile confirmation via an ultrasound source, in other words you will feel it even though you’re waving around in thin air.

This will truly be an amazing thing to behold, I guess it’s like a hologram you can feel.

Chris Bowen

Chris was EFTM's Motoring Editor for many years, driving everything from your entry level hatch to the latest Luxury cars through to the Rolls Royce. He has been in the media for 20 years, produced three Olympic games broadcasts, attending Beijing 2008 & London 2012. Strangely he owns a Toyota Camry Hybrid, he defiantly rejects the knockers. Chris is married to Gillian and resides in Sydney's North West. They have Sam the English Springer Spaniel and Felix the Burmese cat to keep them company, and recently welcomed baby Henry to the family. He has now left EFTM, and writes freelance and runs his own Facebook Page "Bowen's Garage"