BMW Sense
in collaboration with
BMW Sense is an aesthetic statement that can be grasped with more than just the eyes
BMW Sense is a control that replaces the rotary-push dial on the center console. It consists of a reactive touch surface, a hand orientation bar and an armrest adapted to the user that guides the chain of movement to the wrist. The touch surface, composed of many joysticks, responds to the driver and gives him an exceptional tactile experience compared to traditional touch screens.
The user interface matching the input device was also designed to support the user's mental model
Usable areas are adapted to the size of the hand, the important domains are made tactile and the input is confirmed by direct feedback. The control element can be used by the driver as well as the front passenger. This becomes particularly attractive when considering the rapidly advancing technology in autonomous driving. The associated interface allows for simplified operation through a tidy interface. The congruent arrangement of the touch field and screen makes it easy for the driver to find his way around.
Because of Covid-19 and the closed university workshop I did the complete model building in my own basement.
The model was made from two blocks of modeling foam, wood, leather, silicone and metal. First, I made the rough shape of the control element. For this purpose, numerous relief cuts were sawed to facilitate further work with the available means. The actual shape of the control panel was made by a friend in his 3D printer based on my CAD data. The mold is 18.80 x 18.80 cm and divided into four parts to facilitate removal of the silicone. Depending on the angle of view, a different pattern emerges. Here is a detailed enlargement of the control panel.The elements of the surface can represent bars responiv. The elements can also responsively display round buttons.
