BMW is a brand that looks to constantly push the envelope with each and every one of their vehicles. This commitment to innovation extends past the cars themselves, touching every aspect of BMW—including vehicle development.
Since the 1990s, BMW has made use of virtual reality (VR) technology in their vehicle development process. However, the technology was only available at expensive specialized facilities, preventing widespread use. But the tech world has been busy making science fiction into reality with massive leaps forward in VR. Recently, the HTC Vive VR headset hit the market, bringing a top-of-the-line virtual reality videogame experience to consumers in the comfort of their own homes. BMW is the first car manufacturer to incorporate this incredible technology into their vehicle design process.
Though the HTC Vive was only released to consumers last month, BMW has been piloting the technology since August of last year. With the use of the Vive headsets, BMW designers can model vehicle functions and new interior designs in a photo-realistic VR environment. With this capability, they can drive through a city and take note of shortcomings in a new design, such as a hard-to-reach display or an obstructed viewing angle. And with the Vive being a headset meant for consumer use, it can be incorporated into the workstations of BMW designers all over the world.
The BMW brand's focus on innovative, immersive design doesn’t end with the Vive. The company also employs a reusable interior assembly and 3D printing technology to complement the visual experience provided by the Vive with a tactile environment. A precise, stereoscopic acoustic playback system kicks things up another notch by providing realistic sounds, such as the characteristic sound of a BMW engine. Together, BMW designers have a true “mixed reality system” at their disposal to design the next generation of BMW vehicles.
At Fields BMW of Daytona, we’re excited to see what the future holds for some of our favorite BMW vehicles, like the 2016 BMW 328i. Of course, BMW vehicles are already way ahead of their time. So come in to our Daytona Beach dealership today to check out all of the great cars and SUVS by BMW for sale.