As cars in the recent past became more complicated and packed more and more features, their dashboards became increasingly cluttered with buttons, switches and displays. Eventually, the need arose to centralize navigation, communication, entertainment and climate controls- so one automaker invented a very special knob that was up to the task.
That automaker was BMW- and their innovative iDrive system was first presented in 2001 as a solution to end dashboard control overload. iDrive was designed to give its master the ability to seamlessly employ essential vehicle functions via the single console-mounted controller and a multi-function display in the instrument panel. Despite some fairly negative reviews over the years, the system was fairly easily leaned by most, and proved a success. Like many original and successful creations, iDrive spawned many spin-off variants from the competition like Audi's Multi Media Interface and Mercedes-Benz's COMMAND system. Hyundai's Genesis even has an available iDrive knockoff.
Seven years and over 2 million iDrive equipped cars later, BMW's analyzed the competition and is ready to launch the system in its second generation. A result countless hours of ergonomics and perception studies, the new iDrive draws on multitudes of practical and scientific information to blow the competition out of the water.
For instance, a 500-person test-panel was used in a variety of real world and laboratory situations to help develop the system. Participants from several countries helped BMW narrow their options down into four potential choices for the next-generation iDrive before the best one was selected. Criteria included minimized distraction, time and complication in entering or retrieving information.
Systematic comparisons showed that test subjects became more comfortable more quickly with BMW's new iDrive than with similar setups offered by other manufacturers. Additionally, BMW says that their new iDrive will allow users to navigate many of its functions in a 'blind' state- without the need to look at controls or displays whatsoever. Operating in a blind state would be nearly impossible with a touch screen, as it lacks the tactile feedback provided by the iDrive control knob. It's comparable to a computer user navigating their system with a mouse.
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That automaker was BMW- and their innovative iDrive system was first presented in 2001 as a solution to end dashboard control overload. iDrive was designed to give its master the ability to seamlessly employ essential vehicle functions via the single console-mounted controller and a multi-function display in the instrument panel. Despite some fairly negative reviews over the years, the system was fairly easily leaned by most, and proved a success. Like many original and successful creations, iDrive spawned many spin-off variants from the competition like Audi's Multi Media Interface and Mercedes-Benz's COMMAND system. Hyundai's Genesis even has an available iDrive knockoff.
Seven years and over 2 million iDrive equipped cars later, BMW's analyzed the competition and is ready to launch the system in its second generation. A result countless hours of ergonomics and perception studies, the new iDrive draws on multitudes of practical and scientific information to blow the competition out of the water.
For instance, a 500-person test-panel was used in a variety of real world and laboratory situations to help develop the system. Participants from several countries helped BMW narrow their options down into four potential choices for the next-generation iDrive before the best one was selected. Criteria included minimized distraction, time and complication in entering or retrieving information.
Systematic comparisons showed that test subjects became more comfortable more quickly with BMW's new iDrive than with similar setups offered by other manufacturers. Additionally, BMW says that their new iDrive will allow users to navigate many of its functions in a 'blind' state- without the need to look at controls or displays whatsoever. Operating in a blind state would be nearly impossible with a touch screen, as it lacks the tactile feedback provided by the iDrive control knob. It's comparable to a computer user navigating their system with a mouse.
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