Keep your enthusiasm in check if you’re overly enthused about the prospect of using a brand-new feature in your BMW. The gesture control feature is only included in the most recent G-Series BMW cars and is available as an option.
The function was introduced in 2015 with the release of the G11/G12 7 Series BMW, which had an NBT Evo ID6 iDrive. Today, practically every BMW with Operating System 7.0, which supports the most recent MGU head unit, is equipped with the capability.
The following G-Series BMWs are on the list of models with an Operating System 7.0 (MGU iDrive):
- 3 Series BMW (G20)
- 4 Series BMW (G22)
- 5 Series BMW (G30)
- 6 Series BMW (G32)
- 7 Series BMW (G11)
- 8 Series BMW (G15)
- BMW X3 (G01) (G01)
- BMW X4 (G02) (G02)
- BMW X5 (G05) (G05)
- BMW X6 (G06) (G06)
- BMW X7 (G07) (G07)
- BMW Z4 (G29) (G29)
In This Article...
BMW’s enchanted gesture control makes sense now that touchscreens are taking dominant in automobiles.
I never noticed that BMW has been giving its cars in-air gesture control for a number of years. It seemed pointless. When you can accomplish the same thing using dials, buttons, and touchscreens, why wave your hand in the air? That is, until this week, when I received a loaner BMW 850i with the technology. The future is the subject here.
Since I had honestly forgotten that BMW possessed this technology, I had no idea the 850i employed gesture control and only discovered it afterwards. To adjust the volume or instruct the navigation to take you home, simply wave your hand in the air. I think BMW’s gesture control is clever and a wonderful answer to a future dearth of buttons in the year 2019, when massive touchscreens are expected to take over automobiles.
It has a currently restricted use. Volume, navigation, recent calls, and turning on and off the center screen are the only commands available. Future additions of new features are clearly visible. The ability to step back a screen is sadly lacking. That feature is what I want most.
This is how it goes: Take one finger and rotate it above the middle stack to adjust the volume. Anywhere. The variety is remarkable. This can be done two feet from the screen or right next to it. One could lift their arm from the armrest in the middle, spin their finger, and rest it on the armrest. It suddenly changes the loudness. The screen may be turned on or off by raising two fingers in the shape of a flat peace sign without spinning. Open your fist twice to load the phone or navigation (user picks the function).
I never experienced a false positive while using the system for a number of days. The other gestures worked right away, but it took me about 10 minutes to get the volume control down.
These commands work in conjunction with traditional buttons, dials, and a touchscreen in this vehicle. The gestures are not required. The feature can also be disabled by the user through the settings.
The in-air control, though, struck me as a nice complement to the buttons. They work well at night and in the rain because the driver doesn’t have to take their eyes off the road. Simply flick your fingers to lower the volume.
Massive touchscreens may not be beneficial for the driver, in my opinion. When options are buried in menus and there is no actual, tactile response, it might cause drivers to look away from the road. Using touchscreens saves the automaker money compared to designing, creating, and installing traditional buttons. Automobile manufacturers can utilize a touchscreen and program everything to be on-screen in place of having rows of plastic buttons and dials and the mechanical components that sit behind them. Tesla started it; now Ram, Volvo, and Ford are doing the same.
With touchscreens, in-air gesture control might enhance the user experience. I didn’t have to take my eyes from the road when utilizing BMW’s system to find the volume, which I occasionally must do even in my own car. I simply drew a circle in the air with my right hand as an alternative. Similarly, BMW’s technology enables users to activate the navigation and drive to a pre-set location (such as home or work) with just one more gesture.
Automakers will probably turn to comparable technologies as touchscreens become more common in vehicles to make up for the absence of tactile buttons. Even while gestures aren’t as good, they are still preferable to a pointless touchscreen.
losing the ability to touch.
If you want your next car to embrace as much of the future as possible, look at these models. Gesture control might sound cool but needless, and its use is very restricted – as illustrated in the video above.
It’s hardly surprising that the brand’s gesture control technology was first introduced in the BMW 7 Series because it is a premium tech-fest. Its application has been carefully chosen, and it includes volume control, phone answering/dismissing, and around-view parking functions. While in tests it wasn’t flawless, it’s vital to keep in mind that this technology is still in its infancy.
JLR has long made investments in human-machine interface (HMI) technology. The XF Sportbrake, the brand’s first production vehicle with gesture control, was featured at its 2014 Tech Day. With a wave of your hand, the sunroof can be opened and shut. Definitely not more quickly than pressing a button, but a superpower nonetheless.
Although it appears that the Bavarians released gesture control before their German counterparts, Mercedes-Benz rarely loses without a battle. The S-user-friendly Class’s infotainment system, which includes gesture-controlled scrolling and browsing, has won praise from reviewers.
Because of their partnership with Samsung, SEAT’s Connect infotainment system offers gestures to control access to contacts and calls. The Leon, Alhambra, Toledo, and Ibiza models all include touchscreens that can be accessed with quick finger motions; the latter is one of the most reasonably priced tech-friendly vehicles.
VW has kept an eye on the developments in automotive technology despite the shocking headlines of recent years. Although a little behind the curve when it comes to technology, VW has caught up, and the Discover Navigation Pro system for the Golf includes browsing motions so you may choose menus and your favorite music.
Ford introduced the hands-free Kuga in Europe in 2013, which is also known as the Escape in the US. Keyless entry and gesture control are two technologies that are combined in this. You may open the trunk and load the automobile by swiping your foot underneath the back bumper. Excellent for busy families going on their monthly supermarket run.
Has the BMW 5 Series gesture control technology?
BMW has been at the forefront of high-tech, hands-free controls in luxury vehicles for some time. Do you need to lower the music? reply to a call? Increase the heat? BMW Gesture Control may be activated with a simple finger point or hand wave. similar to magic
In reality, the primary goal of the BMW Gesture Control technology is to reduce driver distraction so that they can drive more safely. This is due to the fact that gesture control allows you to operate your BMW with only a few simple hand gestures when making split-second decisions without having to look away from the road. There’s no need to become sidetracked while using the dials and buttons. It uses cutting-edge technologies to provide the driver and passengers a sense of security.
Has the 2019 BMW X3 been equipped with gesture control?
Gesture Control is arguably the most innovative technological innovation offered in the 2019 BMW X3. Drivers are able to use the iDrive system with a variety of hand motions thanks to this recognition system. These hand gestures are captured by a tiny camera, which the system uses to analyze and interpret them.
Is there gesture control in a Mercedes?
Movement is the focus of a brand-new feature called the MBUX Interior Assistant (Gesture Control), which is similar to a performance at the Segerstrom Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. With the Gesture Control, you may quickly deploy MBUX by moving your hands and arms; say goodbye to buttons and remembering which one is which.
How can I disable the gesture control on my BMW?
Connected Drive by BMW. Choose “CAR” > “Settings” > “General settings” > “Gesture control” on your BMW with Operating System 7. To turn on or off gesture control, place or remove the checkmark.
On a BMW, how do you activate the hand gesture?
You may either activate the gesture control option using BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant or by visiting your iDrive settings if you have a camera in the roof function center. When deciding on the latter, you should perform the following:
- Choose “Car” from the iDrive menu.
- then click “Settings.”
- Navigate to “General Settings.”
- Look up “Gesture control.”
- Select whether you want to enable or disable gesture control.
You may also check the appropriate execution of a gesture under the gesture control settings. You can either create a visual tutorial to show you how to do it or receive an audible confirmation when you make a motion correctly.
You can even designate two unique gestures for two specific iDrive functions if you believe there aren’t enough gestures controlling useful features.
Want to maximize the potential of BMW gesture control? You can go through all of the possible BMW hand gestures in the interactive digital owner’s manual included in your MGU iDrive menu by searching for “Possible Gestures” there. This will help you improve your daily driving experience.
Is there gesture control in an Audi?
Audi offers a variety of MMI touch-based systems. On some models, there is a touchpad on the surface of a round rotary/pushbutton control in the center console. The touchpad is utilized for both character input and multi-finger movements, such as allowing the driver to zoom in on a map. Along the edge, buttons add functionality to the terminal. Another version of the bigger MMI all-in-touch is available: Each time a command is entered, the driver receives acoustic and tactile feedback as well as the ability to write, zoom, and scroll on its glass surface. In some instances, the MMI touch is also available as a console-mounted display. Its diagonal measures between 8.8 or 10.1 inches, depending on the available hardware. The driver controls all navigation and entertainment features on the big touch screen with a single finger. Additionally, the driver is able to type letters and symbols.