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Take a look a the large combined, curved display featured on the new BMW iDrive 8

Mar 16, 2021

Technology and Connectivity
BMW iDrive 8 is the most powerful and encompassing technology ever created by BMW. In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the software scopes for the iDrive system. Today, BMW’s iDrive handles a wide array of tasks that extend far beyond a conventional display and operating concept. These range from integrating telematics and connected services to data processing and preparation, connecting to devices and deep integration of third-party apps or projected modes, as well as seamless integration of cloud-based services like BMW Maps.

The BMW Group has been developing the central control unit and software integration platform in-house, entirely on Linux since 2013. Having complete control over software is crucial for creating a stable, upgradeable, high-quality system that distinguishes the brand. In the past, the BMW display and iDrive system has been overhauled on average every three years, a cycle that is roughly half as long as the complete product development cycle for a vehicle. In the era of fast-paced digital development, it is no longer enough to completely update a model’s digital features every three years, and this resulted in a fundamental change of approach in 2018.

The arrival of Remote Software Upgrade means the vehicle is now designed and conceived as a digital platform. So, when a new-generation BMW iDrive is launched, the development work is far from finished. Instead, it acts as the basis for ongoing development during the product life cycle. The interaction between the digital software platform and hardware and the ability to think of this holistically from the moment development starts are vital, as this is the only way of enabling dynamic development. The digital and functional vision aimed for at the end of the life cycle dictates what is required of the hardware in the development phase.

Click here to read more about the New BMW iDrive 8.