BMW has officially unveiled its next-generation in-car user interface, dubbed Panoramic iDrive, which marks a significant departure from its traditional knob-based system. The new UI, set to debut in the Neue Klasse sedan later this year, features a widget-based layout that allows users to customize their experience, including on the car's windshield.

The innovative design does not involve an actual display on the windshield, but rather screens embedded in the dashboard that reflect onto a specially treated portion of the glass. This approach enables BMW to provide a unique and immersive experience while maintaining its focus on the "ultimate driving experience."

According to BMW CTO Frank Weber, the company aimed to expand the capabilities of its in-car UI without overwhelming drivers with screens. The windshield concept, which has been in development internally at BMW for about a decade, provides a solution that keeps the driver's attention on the road ahead.

The Panoramic iDrive UI features a central touch screen display on the dashboard, where drivers and passengers can access climate controls, a 3D map, and a carousel of customizable widgets. An optional head-up display in front of the driver floats above the panoramic UI, providing additional information.

The shift to this new UI marks the end of BMW's iconic, knob-based iDrive system, which has been in use for over 20 years. Weber noted that most drivers hardly use the iDrive knob, except for specific tasks like scrolling through contact lists or zooming in and out of maps. In China, drivers reportedly do not use the knob at all.

With the removal of the iDrive knob, BMW drivers will interact with the Panoramic iDrive UI through a combination of haptic steering wheel buttons and voice control, powered by a new BMW digital assistant that utilizes a white-label LLM (Large Language Model).

The new UI will support third-party apps, and unlike some competitors, BMW is committed to maintaining Apple CarPlay support. Head of BMW Group Design Adrian Van Hooydonk emphasized that the company wants to maintain control over the interface and car functions, while still offering integration with popular services.

This significant overhaul of BMW's in-car technology is a bold move in the competitive automotive industry. As the company prepares to roll out Panoramic iDrive across its entire model range, it will be interesting to see how drivers respond to this innovative and futuristic approach to in-car user experience.