BMW celebrates 100 years with ‘futuristic’ self-driving car concept
By Design Engineering staff
General Automotive self-drivingGerman car maker says the highly personalized and fully geared vehicle designed to meet the driver’s every need.
The BMW Group certainly has a lot to celebrate: 100 years in the business. The automaker has had a significant influence on the future of mobility ever since it was founded in 1916. Over the years, it has constantly evolved, meeting the needs of its customers and market drivers.
“The next 100 years cannot be predicted – not by scientists, nor by politicians or economic strategists,” the company says in a press release. “However, a number of credible prognoses exist that are based on future projections for a variety of figures and factors. The decision was made to concentrate on key questions and megatrends that will impact not only personal mobility but also our day-to-day and business lives.”
To celebrate its centennial anniversary, BMW presents its vision for the future, BMW VISION NEXT 100, a self-driving concept car.
In developing the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the main objective was not to create an anonymous vehicle but one that is highly personalized and fully geared to meet the driver’s every need. For the BMW VISION NEXT 100, the design team specifically took into account all the trends and technological developments that will be most relevant to BMW in the decades ahead.
“If, as a designer, you are able to imagine something, there’s a good chance it could one day become reality,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design. “My personal view is that technology should be as intuitive as possible to operate and experience so that future interactions between human, machine and surroundings become seamless. The BMW VISION NEXT 100 shows how we intend to shape this future.”
The Vision Next 100 has two driving modes, “Boost” and “Ease”, enable driver- or vehicle-controlled operation. In Boost mode the driver is at the controls, and in Ease mode the driver can sit back and let the vehicle take over. According to BWM, Ease mode brings about a complete change of interior—the steering wheel and centre console retract and the headrests move to one side. The seats and door panels merge to form a single unit, allowing the driver and passengers to sit at a slight angle. This makes it easier for them to face each other and sit in a more relaxed position for easier communications.
