Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management responsible for BMW Group Development, emphasized BMW's commitment to marrying the legacy of the "ultimate driving machine" with the "ultimate digital experience." The CES exhibit aimed to showcase more content, customization, and gaming, all powered by the internally developed BMW Operating System. Beyond the present, the show also looked into the future, envisioning perfectly integrated augmented reality (AR) and robust, reliable artificial intelligence (AI) bridging the gap between humans and machines.
A major highlight at CES 2024 was the unveiling of BMW Operating System 9, a platform facilitating new gaming experiences accessible through the ConnectedDrive Store. The "BMW Digital Premium" offering expands the horizons for BMW customers by providing access to an evolving selection of third-party apps, including music, news, magazines, and gaming. For the first time, CES attendees witnessed multiplayer gaming in a vehicle, exemplified by the action-packed "Beach Buggy Racing 2," allowing passengers to compete against each other using gaming controllers.
The AirConsole App, offering single and multiplayer games, further adds to the in-car gaming experience, turning smartphones into controllers. This progressive gaming initiative is expected to be available over the air for BMW Operating System 9 throughout 2024.
The BMW Theatre Screen with Amazon Fire TV, previously exclusive to the rear compartment of the BMW 7 Series, is now complemented by the Video App in BMW Operating Systems 8.5 and 9. This app introduces live channels and on-demand media libraries, covering news, sports, entertainment for kids, movies, and TV series. Initially launched in the BMW 5 Series, it is set to roll out to more executive and luxury models over the air, including compact models with BMW Operating System 9.
Internationally, the Video App is accessible in several countries, with plans to expand to more regions and add to the portfolio of streaming platforms. BMW Group showcased the XREAL Air 2 augmented reality (AR) glasses, revealing how AR glasses will enhance the driving experience in the future. CES attendees could experience firsthand how navigation instructions, hazard warnings, entertainment content, charging station information, and parking visualizations seamlessly integrate into the real-world environment. BMW's progress in augmented and mixed reality technology, dating back to 2008, has now culminated in stable AR and MR content delivery to passengers in a moving vehicle.
Collaborating with Amazon, BMW presented a development project showcasing the capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant powered by the Alexa Large Language Model (LLM). This innovative AI integration provides users with quick and human-like instructions and answers about vehicle functions. Visitors to CES 2024 witnessed a more conversational and interactive voice assistant, setting the stage for potential series integration.
In essence, BMW's CES 2024 showcase was a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to delivering not only the thrill of driving but also a pioneering digital experience that pushes the boundaries of innovation in the automotive industry. The future of BMW is not just about the ultimate driving machine but the ultimate fusion of driving and digital excellence.
Wael is an automotive content writer specializes in creating written content for Motor 283. Producing a wide range of content, including blog posts, articles, product descriptions, reviews, and technical guides related to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles, with an unprecedented passion for cars, and motorcycles.
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