Personalization is imperative in the luxury car field. A bespoke approach to cars now results in some impressive creations, color combinations, and individualization of the standard vehicle form.
BMW recently approached production from a different perspective, presenting an influential concept car called iVision Dee. Offering a new level of personalization, the model is envisioned as a “digital companion.” This compact electric vehicle is customizable and engineered to suit the manner in which drivers comprehend and interact with their vehicles.
Even though most concept cars never reach production, BMW is confident that iVision Dee will be delivered to the first customers in 2025. If all the features from the concept car become available to the general public, iVision Dee’s appearance will mark a revolution in vehicle design and engineering.
New Era of Customizable Car Bodies with E Ink Technology
The first impressive customizable feature is the paint: iVision Dee can change the color in a matter of seconds. The car’s body can display single or multiple colors, creating numerous (if not endless) color combinations.
The secret behind it is in E Ink Technology: smart veneer material that covers the car’s body and is able to change colors by transferring digital impulses.
So far, body paint has been considered a key characteristic of a vehicle that can even influence the price of certain models. If scaled industry-wide, BMW’s innovation has the ability to disrupt the way customers think about a car’s color.
The minimalistic design approach is not simply a gimmick, but a canvas for further personalization. The front end is customizable, and the car is able to have several “faces,” changing the design of lights and headlight patterns to suit the individual, with choices of characteristic BMW grills and layouts.
Vehicle With Its Own Voice and “Emotional” Display
The i Vision Dee’s interior is an entirely new vision of minimalism with eco-friendly materials and intuitive ergonomy. It is virtually void of physical switchgear, which is meant to put an emphasis on using voice commands and keeping your eyes on the road.
However, for the driver, the BMW Mixed Reality Slider system is the standout feature. Comprised of four Shy-Touch sensors, it transforms the windshield into an expansive digital display, offering varied augmented reality levels.
Now, the entire expanse of the front glass showcases the information typically displayed on conventional gauge clusters or center touchscreens. The driver can tailor the displayed content, both in amount and type, via dashboard touch-sensitive controls — a technology BMW dubs the Mixed Reality Slider.
And within the “ultimate companion” concept, the voice assistant reigns supreme. The driver can command most car functions through voice, while the car itself has a voice — manufacturer-labeled as “full of personality” — that extends beyond the vehicle’s confines.
On Track for 2025 Production
With drive train, performance specs, and mechanical aspects made secondary, BMW deliberately chose to concentrate on combining digital technologies with the human desire to connect with the object.
The BMW iVision Dee is not a car in the transportation sense; it is a consumer electronic device on four wheels to make driving a fun and enjoyable experience, introducing a whole new dimension of personalization, connectivity, and interaction with the vehicle.
The company is confident that the car will be released in 2025, and some of its features have the potential to change the driving experience irrevocably if and when they appear in serial production.
