In the not-too-distant future, BMW cars will be fitted with the company’s next generation head unit that will support air gestures through a technology known as AirTouch.
Now, it won’t be as simple as swiping left or right like some smartphones of today, but the touchless technology will perform a myriad of gestures including volume controls, navigation and communication functions. With AirTouch, according to the Bavarian giant, the touchscreen can be three-dimensionally operated on-the-fly without the need to make contact with the screen’s surface.
This air gesture technology first debuted in the new G11 BMW 7-Series but instead of AirTouch, it’s called BMW Gesture Control. Accessing the feature is simple. All the driver needs to do is press a button located on the rim of the steering wheel which activates the sensors built into the dashboard. Upon registry, the driver will be given another option to confirm action. AirTouch is also available for the front passenger, and the button is positioned on the side sill of the door area.
More details on BMW’s AirTouch technology will surface next week at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. It will be held in Las Vegas from 6 to 9 January.
