The newest innovation from BMW is called BMW gesture control, which enables users to operate specific iDrive features by using hand movements recorded by a 3D camera. With a few easy gestures, you may answer or reject a call, adjust the radio volume, establish navigational destinations, or adjust the angle of the 360-degree view of the car. With drivers’ ability to securely interact with the iDrive system and maintain concentration behind the wheel in mind, BMW developed gesture control technology. It might be rather useful, especially if you want to keep your eyes on the road in dangerous conditions but yet need to be able to answer a crucial call from your spouse or place of employment.
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This morning, I received a brand-new G05 30d. The Gesture Control options are mysteriously missing from the menu (have followed the instructions to the tee as per the manual, and its simply not listed under the car settings menu, or under any other menu option).
I apologize in advance for my ignorance, but which window sticker are you referring to?
You are in Australia, I see. The US government mandates that all new automobiles have a large, typically 20″ x 15″, sticker on the passenger window that lists the car’s “official” options and standard features as well as the price, EPA mileage, and a few other details.
Are you certain certain that option is on your car, asks Android. Is it available on your list of choices?
To find out if your automobile has Gesture Control, check at that sticker. It is only included in the Premium and Executive packages in the US.
So, the fact that you don’t have that option is one reason you might not see Gesture Control in your menus. The sticker is a tool for verifying that. In my case, the label on my car lists “Executive Package,” but it doesn’t specifically mention “Gesture Control,” even though I do have it.
Recently constructed Australian vehicles no longer use gesture control for an unidentified reason. It is no longer available in the configurator. This was covered in the topic titled “Aussie Orders.”
Gesture Control is listed as a standard feature in specifications published by BMW Group Australia:
“High-resolution 12.3 instrument display and BMW Live cockpit Professional* (1920×1080) Navigation, split screen functionality, touch display, iDrive touch Controller, natural voice control, and BMW Gesture Control are all included on the 12.3 Control Display’s 20 GB hard drive capacity.”
However, BMW Group Australia has not provided the feature on the most recent vehicles, which, in my humble view, may be a violation of the Trade Practices Act and the Australian Consumer Law. When I protested to BMW, I took their response as “sod off here is a page full of our terms, conditions, and disclaimers,” which anyone in Oz would know does not exempt them from complying with local consumer laws. (This is significantly different in Oz from the USA.)
Instead of the $2 feature, which I think does not function any better than the other software in the car, I am more annoyed by their haughty attitude. Yes, I believe they made a mistake and “did a Boeing” with this car’s software.
It is now impossible to ever know what you will get because they redefined the option code’s component parts.
Visit the store today; they can certify that no X5 produced in June 2019 or later has gesture control at all. All Australian X5 vehicles had it as standard equipment; it is no longer even an optional extra.
I agree with the criticism on misleading and dishonest behavior, especially in light of the fact that no one told us of the changes after we placed the purchase in April.
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)
- BMW X4 (G02)
- BMW X5 (G05)
- BMW X6 (G06)
- BMW X7 (G07)
- BMW Z4 (G29)
Gesture Control: Is it a standard? No, never. Sometimes it can be retrofitted, and other times it is standard. Motion Control For example, the BMW i3’s parking system recognizes motions and enters and exits a parking space entirely automatically. According to Bimmertech, whether or not a BMW has it depends on whether or not it has a camera in the roof function center.
So, rotate your fingers in a circle to increase the level of your preferred music; point downward to accept a call from your spouse; swipe aside to decline the call. Any function you’ve set up for the screen can be activated just by pointing at it, including changing menu screens and FM radio stations.
To see if your BMW has Gesture Control (or the BMW of your dreams). View our BMW inventory right now!
How to maximize the use of gesture control (VIDEO).
The G11/G12 7 Series generation featured Gesture Control for the first time in 2015. Today, practically any new BMW can have it specified as an option as part of the BMW Operating System 7.0. Knowing how to use it to your advantage is important because it enables a straightforward and uncomplicated operation.
The sensors used by the BMW Gesture Control system are mounted on the roof, next to the mirror. They are made to interpret a series of predetermined hand gestures made in the center space in front of the center console and respond accordingly to carry out the designated function.
By calling the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant or navigating to the menu of the BMW OS 7.0, you can turn on or off gesture control. You first choose CAR, then Settings, General Settings, and finally, Gesture Control, by scrolling down. Toggle the little box to the right or left to enable or disable gesture control.
You can choose the on-display user help option to get visible instructions on how to carry out the motion correctly, and if you choose, you can also get an audible confirmation. Additionally, you can designate two separate gestures expressly to activate two distinct functionalities of the BMW OS 7.0.
You can adjust the media volume through the speaker system by circling with your index finger pointing forward. Circle clockwise to boost the volume and anti-clockwise to reduce it. You can, for instance, turn on or off the iDrive control display by pointing your index and middle fingers forward in the form of a horizontal V letter or peace sign. You can reject a call or change the tune playing on the audio system, for instance, by waving your hand to the right.
Go to the interactive digital owner’s manual included in the BMW OS 7.0 menu if you want to make the most of BMW Gesture Control. To view all the pertinent and available hand gestures that can be used to enhance the driving experience in your new BMW, run a search for “gesture control” and then choose Possible Gestures from the menu.
The luxurious Sports Activity Vehicle, the BMW X7 (G07), is the hero of this BMW How To video. Finished in what looks to be Alpine White uni exterior color with contrasting BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line external decorations, the X7 is equipped in M Sport trim. The 22-inch M code 755 wheels on the X7 are stunning, featuring a bicolor Jetblack finish and a V-style.
Inside, the Fineline Black wood trim with metallic look was coupled with the BMW Individual Merino black leather upholstery.
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.
Does my BMW have gesture control?
You can interact safely with the iDrive system while staying calm and focused thanks to BMW gesture control technology. Additionally, it’s enjoyable!
The core of gesture control is 3D technology. The BMW gesture control sensors are located next to the rearview mirror in the roof lining of the vehicle.
The sensors translate a set of pre-defined hand movements done in front of the center console, just above the gearshift lever, according to the Bimmer-tech website. According to the website, the driver must make gestures near the screen for the device to function effectively.