Okay, so BMW isn’t launching a roadster version of its i8 hybrid sports car. What we see here is a prototype unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show that gives insight into something perhaps even more exciting: a new user interface called “Air Touch.” It builds on and then takes massive leaps beyond the “Gesture Control” feature launched with the current 7-series.
While “Gesture Control” merely recognizes finger movements, “Air Touch” uses several sensors to monitor movements of the entire hand, including motions in depth. It’s like a touchscreen in free space; the movements of the driver’s right hand can be confirmed with a steering-wheel-mounted button and are mirrored on a large screen. The passenger can operate the system, as well, and they have their own confirmation button. The i8 concept is autonomous, of course, although operators can choose among a fully human-controlled mode, one that layers on the intervention of assistance systems, and fully autonomous driving.
Why put all of this into an i8 Spyder that will never be built, one dubbed “BMW i Vision Future Interaction”" Simply because the concept already existed, and because it is so much easier to see and demonstrate the technology using a car with no roof or doors. BMW enjoyed hearing the speculation about production for an i8 convertible, but an insider told us?somewhat cryptically?that they “have other prio...