The Self-Driving BMW Vision Next 100 Makes The i8 Look Like Old Hat

As part of its centenary event, BMW has unveiled this futuristic, autonomous tech-packed concept
The Self-Driving BMW Vision Next 100 Makes The i8 Look Like Old Hat

For BMW, today is a very special day. 7 March 2016 marks the company’s 100th anniversary, and this stupidly futuristic concept has been cooked up by the Bavarians to celebrate the occasion.

It ticks all the usual concept car boxes - a striking body, a crazy interior, and some outrageous doors. Well, ‘doors’ are an appropriate description for the dihedral-opening devices at the front, but at the rear you get something even more special: a massive clamshell piece which lifts with the front doors to expose the majority of the futuristic interior.

The Self-Driving BMW Vision Next 100 Makes The i8 Look Like Old Hat

The focus here, though, is autonomous tech. The Vision has something called ‘Alive Geometry’ to manage the drive interactions, formed of ‘Boost’ and ‘Ease’ modes. In Boost, the car does all it can to help out the driver, including driving line (like Forza IRL…), steering point and speed suggestions on the head-up display.

Remote video URL

Ease mode on the other hand takes over the driving duties entirely. It retracts the steering wheel and centre console, turns the headrests to the side and allows the driver and front seat passenger to face each other.

So, the idea of this car is to address the inevitability of autonomous cars, while seeing where BMW’s focus on driving pleasure might fit in. It certainly seems like an interesting take on the idea, but how relevant it’ll end up being depends upon whether or not the powers that be eventually ban DIY driving…

The Self-Driving BMW Vision Next 100 Makes The i8 Look Like Old Hat

If it hasn’t quite satisfied your appetite for futuristic stuff, be patient: Vision concepts from fellow BMW Group brands Rolls-Royce, Mini and BMW Motorrad are on the way.

Comments

Anonymous

I like the thought behind it. The Combination of driving and being driven. I also like that they take the technology that is used for safety (Cameras, Radars), to help the driver. I hope that you can turn off the driving aids.

03/07/2016 - 12:44 |
13 | 1
Dat Boi

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I doubt the deactivation of driver aids
After all the controls will most likely be digital and physically separated (think drive by wire) to have better packaging, autonomy and refinement.

03/07/2016 - 14:08 |
1 | 0
Repa24

I like the fact that BMW gives you the ability to DRIVE your OWN vehicle.

03/07/2016 - 13:24 |
9 | 0
hotch370z (Z Guy)

The futuristic look is too goofy

03/07/2016 - 13:58 |
1 | 4
Anonymous

I love where this is heading. BTW BMW is planning a BMW I5, I wonder if it’ll look something similar to this…

03/07/2016 - 14:03 |
3 | 0
Lassë Lund

Those seats look very uncanny, i wouldn’t mind skipping and have a walk instead

03/07/2016 - 14:41 |
1 | 3
Anonymous

Good one.. Although the design looks similar to that one from the film ‘I Robot’

03/07/2016 - 15:26 |
3 | 1
ejohns67

No bmw please stop

03/07/2016 - 16:19 |
2 | 5
Anonymous

Autonomous hmmm, guess it can’t be called the ultimate “driving” machine in the future :(

03/07/2016 - 16:43 |
2 | 4
Matthew Henderson

Am i allowed to go to BMW’s office and tell them to start a taxi company instead? Self driving cars… how dare they?

03/07/2016 - 19:37 |
2 | 4
Hanswurstus

that is literally the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life… and yes, it’s even uglier than a multipla

03/07/2016 - 19:54 |
4 | 6

Topics

Manufacturers

Sponsored Posts