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.
In This Article...
With BMW’s gesture control, users can operate some iDrive features by making hand motions that are recorded by a 3D camera. The driver can reject phone calls, lower the music volume, enter navigational locations, and even adjust the angle of the 360-degree view of the car by waving with their hand.
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.
What is the Gesture Control on a BMW?
With the help of basic hand movements that are recorded by a 3D camera, the driver may operate a few distinct iDrive features using the BMW Gesture Control feature. These straightforward hand motions can be used to change the 3D viewing angle, adjust the radio volume, skip tracks, and establish navigation directions, among other things.
As you might have imagined, this feature was added to make it simple for drivers to operate the iDrive system while maintaining their attention on the road. During the week I spent with the 2022 X3, I was able to utilize it, and while I started out being dubious, I ultimately ended up being amazed.
These BMW vehicles, according to Bimmer Tech, are equipped with this feature:
- 3 Series BMW
- 4 Series BMW
- 5 Series BMW
- 6 Series BMW
- 7 Series BMW
- 8 Series BMW
- BMW X3
- BMW X4
- BMW X5
- BMW X6
- BMW X7
- BMW Z4
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.
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.
The system for recognizing gestures
In contrast to pure proximity sensors, which frequently use infrared technology, the technology underlying gesture control is very straightforward: manufacturers nearly usually depend on 2D or 3D cameras for gesture detection. They typically monitor a specific region, usually above the center tunnel between the driver and front passenger, and are fixed on the headliner. The computer records every movement in this area, compares the gesture to movement patterns that have been stored, and determines what to do.
At the 2015 IAA, BMW debuted its gesture control in the new BMW 7 Series. Five hand signals are available. The camera will detect it if the driver performs it in front of the center console. For instance, the music gets louder to the right as you spin your index finger and quieter to the left. There may be a lot more gestures, but whether they make sense is another matter.
On the other hand, you can refuse a call or mute the traffic alert on the radio with a swiping gesture, according to the Munich-based automaker, who is constantly growing the list of swiping gestures. Sometimes specific gestures might be given their own distinct purposes.
The infotainment display, if provided, displays the relevant gesture each time a button is pressed in order to learn the sequence of hand gestures. The key hand motions for controlling the radio and music without touching or other distractions can be rapidly learned.
How does a BMW’s gesture control system operate?
Everything revolves around 3D technology. In the car’s roof lining, just near to the rearview mirror, are BMW gesture control sensors. A series of predetermined hand motions executed in front of the center console, above the gearshift lever, are translated by them. The driver must make gestures close to the screen as seen in the image below for the technology to function effectively.
Has the BMW 3 Series gesture control?
The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine has a broader and longer posture thanks to the increase of the wheelbase, which underlines its independence. Its distinctive personality and cutting-edge design are highlighted by the dynamic proportions and accents, including the LED Icon Lights up front or the 3D-optical taillights.
The BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine greatly exceeds the driving dynamics expectations of the typical sedan because to its sophisticated and potent engines, sharper handling, and optimal weight distribution.
High-end materials and a minimalistic design dazzle in the BMW 3 Series Gran Limousine’s interior. The cockpit completes the ideal overall picture with dynamic accents like the Sensatec console and a sport leather steering wheel with “Galvanic” components.
The BMW 3 Series Sedan has increased entrance comfort and extra leg and headroom in the back because to the large wheelbase. The head rests and back seats have also been given an additional softening. The opulent Sedan transforms into your mobile sanctuary when combined with the useful armrest and the calming ambient light.
Every moment of mobility is improved by innovations like the BMW Virtual Assistant. Your BMW can learn from your preferred settings and respond to voice or gesture commands. Additionally, you have the backing of sophisticated driver assistance technologies like the Parking Assistant.
Do all BMW models feature gesture control?
- Pinch and drag to the left or right to alter the angle of the 360-degree rear-view camera.
- Move back: Thumbs extended, move to the left
- Jump ahead: Thumbs outstretched, move to the right
- Extend the index and middle fingers, or extend five fingers, make a fist, then extend five fingers once again.
Need a picture? Learn how to do some of the hand motions in this video.
The G11/G12 7 Series BMW, which included an NBT Evo ID6 iDrive, was the first vehicle to come with the Gesture Control feature, which was introduced six years ago.
Nowadays, almost every BMW with Operating System 7.0, which supports the most recent MGU head unit, is equipped with gesture control.
I need to configure gesture control.
- Launch the Settings app.
- After navigating the menu, select Display settings.
- Locate and select the option for the navigation bar.
- Swipe gestures can be tapped.
- From here, select More options from the Swipe motions menu.
- Ignore the option labeled “Swipe from bottom” and choose “Swipe from sides and bottom.”
Your experience with other phones may be slightly different. The majority include gesture navigation choices in locations similar to those mentioned above, though the naming standards may vary.
How can I configure my BMW hands-free?
You must first begin the Bluetooth connection process on your car’s radio in order to connect your Android device to your BMW vehicle. You will then be prompted by the system to finish the device configuration. Go to the Settings section of your Android phone and choose Wireless & Networks.
How is gesture control implemented?
With the use of gestures and a motion-sensing input device, users may interact and manage their PCs in a natural way. A full-body 3D motion capture and gesture recognition system is provided by the device’s RGB camera and depth sensor.
BMW first introduced touch screens when?
The BMW vehicle control system is the subject of this article. IDrive Inc. is the name of the internet storage company. To learn more, go to iDrive.
Most auxiliary vehicle systems are managed by the in-car communications and entertainment system known as iDrive in late-model BMW vehicles. It debuted with the 2001 launch of the E65 7 Series. A control knob situated on the center console and an LCD panel mounted in the dashboard make up the system’s single control architecture, which unifies a variety of functions.
The climate (heating and air conditioner), music system (radio and CD player), navigation system, and communication system can all be managed by the driver (and, in some versions, front-seat passengers).
Due to Rolls-Royce’s ownership by BMW and the fact that Toyota and BMW collaborate on the Toyota Supra, which will be available starting in 2019, iDrive is also employed in contemporary Rolls-Royce vehicles. A condensed version of iDrive, known as Connected, is offered on certain vehicles because Mini is owned by BMW.