BMW to Utilize Touch Sensitive Smart Fabric In Future Cars

Jason · 01-25-2012, 11:04 AM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW to Utilize Touch Sensitive Smart Fabric In Future Models

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BMW already has plans to install touchscreen fabric in future models, according to New Scientist.

Researchers at the Polytechnic School in Montreal have developed a flexible polymer-based fiber with electrical properties that can be woven into existing fabrics. Imagine all the creative ways this would allow BMW to elegantly replace physical buttons or controls for a more minimalist look to the interior.

"In essence we are trying to reproduce the smartphone experience in textile form,” says researcher Maksim Skorobogatiy of the Polytechnic School in Montreal, Canada.

"We are looking for applications where we can weave in sleek, non-invasive control, avoiding blocks of push buttons.

The electrical properties change depending on where the fabric is touched, and finger touches or slides on different areas can be programmed to control air-conditioning or change the volume of the stereo, explained Skorobogatiy in the article.

The article confirms that BMW has plans to install the touch-sensitive smart fabric in future models, along with General Motors and aircraft-manufacturer Bombardier.

This should come as no surprise however, as BMW has already previewed touch sensitive technology in a recent concept car - the Vision ConnectedDrive concept at the 2011 Geneva auto show, with its touch sensitive dashboard. For example, the heating and music controls were operated by the driver's gestures over the dashboard surface.

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sam964 · 01-25-2012, 11:17 AM

Wow, can't wait to see this happen

studntloan · 01-25-2012, 11:20 AM

awesome

Grendalf · 01-25-2012, 11:22 AM

Very neat!
And once again another innovation from Quebec

Good job!

Rich@GTBPerformance · 01-25-2012, 11:25 AM

ooooooooooooh future stuff!!

esqu1re · 01-25-2012, 11:30 AM

Works with gloves, I assume? Looks cool streamlined, but wondering how this will enhance driving excitement / safety / concentration. Basically, I'm hoping that they're not exchanging buttons and knobs (which are intuitive to push and adjust without looking once you learn them) for something like fabric iPhone interface which requires the driver's visual attention to interact. ie: you could text on a buttoned phone by feel and without looking once you learned the layout. You cannot do this by feel on an touchscreen surface. Likewise, I fear you may not be able to feel around for certain controls that are reduced to a touch sensitive surface.

Yodaime · 01-25-2012, 11:33 AM

Can't wait to get this car

IancoleTX · 01-25-2012, 11:48 AM

Damn that sounds pretty slick. I imagine it would be more cost effective and mechanically simpler than standard buttons too.

numba1guju · 01-25-2012, 12:43 PM

warranty is going to definitely come in handy for this car...lol

Klambo · 01-25-2012, 12:54 PM

That sounds awesome!

Frosty · 01-25-2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numba1guju

warranty is going to definitely come in handy for this car...lol

HA HA!

..I can see it now... " you too? I've replaced 6 FabricE panels just this year on my i9... every time I cant use my FabrActivE-iDrivE blah blah... "

~Frost

red-sauerkraut · 01-25-2012, 08:03 PM

No Doubt!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yodaime

Can't wait to get this car

Kiemyster · 01-26-2012, 01:24 AM

The lack of physical hard buttons worry me.... While the concept is brilliant, and while it is nice to replace a few controls with it, I have this feeling that BMW is going to go overboard with this and replace virtually every button with this... I would not want to imagine how the buttons would act up during electrical problems. Also, the system would have to be able to operate properly with moist/wet fingers. Meh, I am a little iffy about this technology right now... I would love to see how "developed" this technology is.

jcars1990 · 01-26-2012, 08:27 AM

this is amazing, but i wonder how hard it will be to fix/ the durability of it... hope you dont need an electrical engineer degreee to fix it

Erhan · 01-26-2012, 02:24 PM

So if I fart, then it'll turn on the seat heaters?

God, the cars are getting ridiculously complex. Not sure if I want to own a car with 3 turbos, 2 intercoolers, automatic transmission, touch screen, touch fabric etc etc...

01-25-2012, 11:04 AM	#1
Jason Administrator Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: IoT Posts: 14,244 iTrader: (0)	BMW to Utilize Touch Sensitive Smart Fabric In Future Cars BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW to Utilize Touch Sensitive Smart Fabric In Future Models 14 COMMENTS Tweet BMW already has plans to install touchscreen fabric in future models, according to New Scientist. Researchers at the Polytechnic School in Montreal have developed a flexible polymer-based fiber with electrical properties that can be woven into existing fabrics. Imagine all the creative ways this would allow BMW to elegantly replace physical buttons or controls for a more minimalist look to the interior. "In essence we are trying to reproduce the smartphone experience in textile form,” says researcher Maksim Skorobogatiy of the Polytechnic School in Montreal, Canada. "We are looking for applications where we can weave in sleek, non-invasive control, avoiding blocks of push buttons. The electrical properties change depending on where the fabric is touched, and finger touches or slides on different areas can be programmed to control air-conditioning or change the volume of the stereo, explained Skorobogatiy in the article. The article confirms that BMW has plans to install the touch-sensitive smart fabric in future models, along with General Motors and aircraft-manufacturer Bombardier. This should come as no surprise however, as BMW has already previewed touch sensitive technology in a recent concept car - the Vision ConnectedDrive concept at the 2011 Geneva auto show, with its touch sensitive dashboard. For example, the heating and music controls were operated by the driver's gestures over the dashboard surface. Share this story OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE Video: BMW Heartbeat BMW Has No Plans to Integrate Apple iOS Into Its Vehicles [Update: For Now] BMW iDrive Touch Controller Demo Video
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01-25-2012, 11:20 AM	#3
studntloan (studntloan) Drives: 4 doors 4 more whores Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ny Posts: 2,829 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011.75 E90 BMW M3 [0.00] 2011 bmw/ m3 [0.00]	awesome __________________ AUTOcouture Motoring \| Facebook \| YouTube \| Alex@AUTOcouturemotoring.com \| 201.666.3500

01-25-2012, 11:22 AM	#4
Grendalf Private First Class Drives: BMW 335xi (E90 LCI) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 162 iTrader: (0)	Very neat! And once again another innovation from Quebec Good job! __________________ 335xi Sedan — CANbus PROcede \| Injen Intake \| Forge DVs

01-25-2012, 11:25 AM	#5
Rich@GTBPerformance BimmerPost Supporting Vendor Drives: A hard bargain Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 3,534 iTrader: (6)	ooooooooooooh future stuff!! __________________ Your Home For Premium BMW Aftermarket Parts www.gtbperformance.com \| sales@gtbperformance.com \| Facebook \| 973 429 2839

01-25-2012, 11:30 AM	#6
esqu1re Lieutenant Colonel Drives: M Coupe Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: East Coast Posts: 1,858 iTrader: (0)	Works with gloves, I assume? Looks cool streamlined, but wondering how this will enhance driving excitement / safety / concentration. Basically, I'm hoping that they're not exchanging buttons and knobs (which are intuitive to push and adjust without looking once you learn them) for something like fabric iPhone interface which requires the driver's visual attention to interact. ie: you could text on a buttoned phone by feel and without looking once you learned the layout. You cannot do this by feel on an touchscreen surface. Likewise, I fear you may not be able to feel around for certain controls that are reduced to a touch sensitive surface. __________________ ///M Coupe: RPI Scoop, OE Strut, CDV, Volk RE30, SS Brake Lines, Stromung Exhaust

01-25-2012, 11:17 AM	#2
sam964 New Member Drives: 2010 BMW X5 Xdrive48i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 28 iTrader: (0)	Wow, can't wait to see this happen

01-25-2012, 11:48 AM	#8
IancoleTX Dillo boxers Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Posts: 2,882 iTrader: (12)	Damn that sounds pretty slick. I imagine it would be more cost effective and mechanically simpler than standard buttons too. __________________ 2011 135i 6MT - Alpine White / Savannah Beige

01-25-2012, 12:43 PM	#9
numba1guju Lieutenant Drives: 2002 325i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 473 iTrader: (0)	warranty is going to definitely come in handy for this car...lol __________________ Current: 2013 328i Mineral Gray ZMM/ZLP/Heated Seats SOLD: 2002 325i Jet Black ZPP

01-25-2012, 12:54 PM	#10
Klambo New Member Drives: 2010 Jet Black E92 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	That sounds awesome!

01-26-2012, 01:24 AM	#13
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant Drives: E90x4 (M3, 335xi, 325xi,320i) Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC Posts: 3,088 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [0.50] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [3.50] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	The lack of physical hard buttons worry me.... While the concept is brilliant, and while it is nice to replace a few controls with it, I have this feeling that BMW is going to go overboard with this and replace virtually every button with this... I would not want to imagine how the buttons would act up during electrical problems. Also, the system would have to be able to operate properly with moist/wet fingers. Meh, I am a little iffy about this technology right now... I would love to see how "developed" this technology is. __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi

01-26-2012, 08:27 AM	#14
jcars1990 New Member Drives: m3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: boston ma Posts: 8 iTrader: (0)	this is amazing, but i wonder how hard it will be to fix/ the durability of it... hope you dont need an electrical engineer degreee to fix it

01-26-2012, 02:24 PM	#15
Erhan Colonel Drives: Cooper S Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,464 iTrader: (0)	So if I fart, then it'll turn on the seat heaters? God, the cars are getting ridiculously complex. Not sure if I want to own a car with 3 turbos, 2 intercoolers, automatic transmission, touch screen, touch fabric etc etc... __________________ 2011 MINI Cooper S previous cars: E92 M3, Z4MC, Z4 Roadster, E36 328 Sedan

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