London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025

BMW takes cues from Apple with radical interior overhaul

BMW takes cues from Apple with radical interior overhaul

BMW AG’s latest prototype could well preview Apple Inc.’s future car: drivers have zero buttons and switches with a super-sleek interior where the windshield acts as a giant voice-controlled display.
Parts of the technologies showcased in the i Vision Dee concept car, on display at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, will be available as soon as 2025, according to Chief Executive Officer Oliver Zipse. The vehicle — while using Amazon.com Inc. voice recognition know-how — features software mostly developed by BMW in a bid to shut out tech giants.

“We have to be very vigilant not to give away data,” Zipse said during an event in Munich previewing the i Vision Dee.

“Our car will integrate seamlessly into your digital lives to become a true driving companion.”

BMW’s splashy show at CES comes as Apple’s highly secretive car project faces delays to around 2026 as its self-driving plans have proven too ambitious.

But even with the postponement, Apple’s auto push continues to hang over the industry where incumbent manufacturers struggle to integrate complex digital services.

Software delays holding back Volkswagen AG’s EV roll-out felled its CEO last year. Drivers battling frozen screens and patchy over-the-air updates are contributing to VW losing market share in China, its biggest market.

Mercedes-Benz AG last year recalled 9,100 of its flagship electric EQS sedans in the US to fix a software error that risked disabling rear turn signals.

At BMW, which went for a retro-inspired look for the i Vision Dee reminiscent of its 1960s sedans, developers have had a better grasp on adding to digital capabilities.

Since 2019, BMW has been updating car software wirelessly for a broad suite of functions, including infotainment and safety features. At present, more than 3.8 million BMW vehicles receive over-the-air updates regularly.

“Whoever excels at integrating the customer’s digital worlds into the vehicle at all levels will master the future of car-building,” BMW’s development head Frank Weber said in a statement.

Once in the car, drivers can choose five levels of information to be displayed, ranging from basics like speed to augmented reality with navigation cues projected on the road.

Even when driving, short social media messages can pop up on the side.

BMW’s version of Amazon’s Alexa, named Dee, is meant to provide additional assistance. When the driver approaches the vehicle, Dee registers her identity, opens the door automatically and can express moods such as joy or astonishment with visual cues on the grille and headlights.

Putting all information on the windscreen helps to minimize distraction, Zipse said.

BMW, working on a new software-led vehicle platform slated for 2025, said that a head-up display across the windshield will feature in new models made on the “Neue Klasse underpinnings.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Removing the Political Opponent Means Dismissing the Remnants of Turkey's Economy.
Malaysia Strengthens Semiconductor Regulations in Response to U.S. Pressure to Restrict AI NVIDIA Chip Exports to China.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Under Investigation After Journalist Added to Secret Military Chat
Ex-Business Partner of Hunter Biden Discusses Possible Pardon from President Trump
U.S. Attorney General Announces Task Force to Prosecute Government Fraud
American Brands Face Consumer Boycott in Europe Amid Escalating Trade and Political Tensions
White House Investigates Security Breach After Journalist Accidentally Added to Secret Yemen Strike Chat
Samsung Executive Han Jong-hee Dies Suddenly Amid Ongoing Corporate Challenges
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has just signed off on a national debt hike to fast-track Germany’s militarization
Heathrow Airport Restarts Services as Investigation into Power Outage Commences
Pope Francis Released from Hospital Following Pneumonia Treatment
Pope Francis Appears in Public for the First Time in Five Weeks After His Hospital Stay
Usha Vance to Head U.S. Delegation During Greenland Visit Amid Discussions on Annexation
Trump suggests US could join British Commonwealth if offered by King Charles
Elon Musk Files Lawsuit Against Jamaal Bowman for Defamatory Remarks
European Countries to Boost Defense Expenditures in Response to Changes in U.S. Assistance
Iconic Boxer George Foreman Dies at 76
European Airline Shares Fall Following Disruption from Heathrow Power Outage
Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital Following Recovery from Pneumonia
Thousands Take to the Streets in Amsterdam to Protest Racism and Fascism
Revealing the Electromagnetic Characteristics of the Great Pyramid of Giza
President Trump Cancels Security Clearances for Notable Political Figures.
The Development of China's Automotive Sector
Netanyahu Dismisses Shin Bet Chief Amid 'Loss of Trust' and 'Qatargate' Corruption Investigations Involving Netanyahu's Advisors
UK Conservatives Remain Optimistic Despite Polling Challenges
Labour MPs Unveil Initiative to Combat Harmful Influencers and Advocate for Healthy Masculinity
Miami Beach Mayor Cancels Plan to Expel Cinema Following Documentary Showing
Thousands of Drones Illuminate the Sky in Honor of Trump.
Leaders of the US and Ukraine Participate in Constructive Call During Ongoing Conflict
Elon Musk's X Experiences Valuation Recovery to $44 billion.
UK Government Set to Implement Major Budget Cuts in Spring Statement
US Federal Reserve Downgrades Economic Growth Outlook Due to Tariff Uncertainty
EU Claims US Tech Giants Have Violated Digital Regulations
Canada Denounces the Execution of Its Citizens in China Amid Rising Tensions
European Union Moves Toward Joint Debt for Military Spending
Mass Protests in Belgrade Against Serbian President and Government
UK Small Businesses Express Discontent Over Labour's Tax Policies
European Industry Leaders Urge EU to Enhance Technological Sovereignty
Serbia Witnesses Unprecedented Protests Following Novi Sad Railway Station Collapse
China Introduces 'Zhulong' C-14 Nuclear Battery Expected to Last 5,730 Years
Inquiry: Social Media Platforms Greenlit Advertisements Featuring Anti-Semitic and Anti-Muslim Material in Germany
U.S. Expels South African Diplomat Amid Escalating Tensions Over Discriminatory Land Seizure Policies
High-Ranking ISIS Official Slain in Collaborative Operation in Iraq
After countless Ukrainian lives lost, the nation in ruins, the economy in shambles, and vast numbers of the population having fled, NATO has "Announced" that Ukraine's membership is no longer being considered.
Connecticut Woman Accused of Keeping Stepson Imprisoned for Twenty Years
Bosnia and Herzegovina Encounters Political Turmoil Following Arrest Warrant Issued for Serb Leader
Meta Set to Introduce Community Notes Feature in March as Part of New Content Moderation Approach
Trump Family in Discussions for Investment in Binance
UK Prime Minister Suggests Significant Changes to the Governance of the National Health Service.
France Takes Strong Stance Against Potential US Tariffs on Alcoholic Drinks
×