iDrive is an

in-car communications and entertainment system In-car entertainment (ICE), or in-vehicle infotainment (IVI), is a collection of hardware and software in automobiles that provides audio or video entertainment. In car entertainment originated with car audio systems that consisted of radios and ...

, used to control most secondary vehicle systems in late-model BMW

car A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods. The year 1886 is regarded as ...

s. It was launched in 2001, first appearing in the E65 7 Series. The system unifies an array of functions under a single control architecture consisting of an LCD panel mounted in the

dashboard For business applications, see Dashboard (business). A dashboard (also called dash, instrument panel (IP), or fascia) is a control panel set within the central console of a vehicle or small aircraft. Usually located directly ahead of the driver ...

and a

control knob {{more citations needed, date=January 2017 A control knob is a rotary device used to provide manual input adjustments to a mechanical/electrical system when grasped and turned by a human operator, so that differing extent of knob rotation corresp ...

mounted on the center console. iDrive introduced the first

multiplexed In telecommunications and computer networking, multiplexing (sometimes contracted to muxing) is a method by which multiple analog or digital signals are combined into one signal over a shared medium. The aim is to share a scarce resource - a ...

MOST Bus MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) is a high-speed multimedia network technology optimized by the automotive industry. It can be used for applications inside or outside the car. The serial MOST bus uses a daisy-chain topology or ring topolo ...

Byteflight Byteflight is an automotive databus created by BMW and partners Motorola, Elmos Semiconductor and Infineon to address the need for a modernized safety-critical, fault tolerant means of electronic communication between automotive components. It i ...

optical fiber An optical fiber, or optical fibre in Commonwealth English, is a flexible, transparent fiber made by drawing glass (silica) or plastic to a diameter slightly thicker than that of a human hair. Optical fibers are used most often as a means to ...

data busses with very high

bit rate In telecommunications and computing, bit rate (bitrate or as a variable ''R'') is the number of bits that are conveyed or processed per unit of time. The bit rate is expressed in the unit bit per second (symbol: bit/s), often in conjunction w ...

in a production vehicle. These are used for high-speed applications such as controlling the

television Television, sometimes shortened to TV, is a telecommunication medium for transmitting moving images and sound. The term can refer to a television set, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertisin ...

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kind ...

, or driver assistance systems like

adaptive cruise control Adaptive cruise control (ACC) is an available cruise control Advanced driver-assistance systems, advanced driver-assistance system for road vehicles that automatically adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead. As ...

, infrared night vision or

head-up display A head-up display, or heads-up display, also known as a HUD (), is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints. The origin of the name stems from a pilot being able to view informa ...

. iDrive allows the driver (and, in some models, front-seat passengers) to control the climate ( air conditioner and heater), audio system (

radio Radio is the technology of signaling and communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmit ...

and

CD player A CD player is an electronic device that plays audio compact discs, which are a digital optical disc data storage format. CD players were first sold to consumers in 1982. CDs typically contain recordings of audio material such as music or aud ...

navigation Navigation is a field of study that focuses on the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another.Bowditch, 2003:799. The field of navigation includes four general categories: land navigation, ...

system, and the

communication Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inquir ...

system. iDrive is also used in modern

Rolls-Royce Rolls-Royce (always hyphenated) may refer to: * Rolls-Royce Limited, a British manufacturer of cars and later aero engines, founded in 1906, now defunct Automobiles * Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the current car manufacturing company incorporated in ...

models, as Rolls-Royce is owned by BMW,2011 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé -- Car Tour
YouTube.com, July 24, 2011, Accessed August 2, 2011. and in the 2019 onwards

Toyota Supra is a sports car and grand tourer manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation beginning in 1978. The name "supra" is derived from the Latin prefix, meaning "above", "to surpass" or "go beyond". The initial four generations of the Supra were pr ...

which is a collaboration between BMW and Toyota.The Supra Is Back, But This Time It's A Toyota-BMW Collaboration
Forbes.com, January 26, 2018, Accessed October 18, 2020. BMW also owns the

Mini The Mini is a small, two-door, four-seat car, developed as ADO15, and produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors, from 1959 through 2000. Minus a brief hiatus, original Minis were built for four decades and sold during ...

brand, and a pared-down version of iDrive is available on those cars, branded as ''Connected''.

iDrive Generations

iDrive (1st Gen)

File:BMW_E65_iDrive_Controller_Update.jpg, ''Updated iDrive controller featuring a leather top, menu as well as customization buttons.'' File:BMW_E65_iDrive_CBS.jpg, ''LCI iDrive showing service items.'' File:BMW_E65_iDrive_LCI_7_Series_Climate.jpg, ''LCI iDrive showing climate menu.'' File:BMW_E65_iDrive_LCI_Settings.jpg, ''LCI iDrive showing settings menu.'' An early prototype iDrive (called the Intuitive Interaction Concept) was featured on the

BMW Z9 The BMW Z9 (or Z9 Gran Turismo, Z9 GT) is a four-seat coupe concept car, carbon-fiber skin over an aluminum space frame. It was introduced on September in 1999 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. During the 2000 Paris Auto Show a convertible variant of ...

concept in 1999. The production version debuted in September 2001 in the

BMW 7 Series (E65) The fourth generation of the BMW 7 Series consists of the BMW E65 and BMW E66 luxury cars. The E65/E66 was produced from 2001 to 2008 and is often collectively referred to as the E65. The E65 replaced the E38 7 Series and was produced with petro ...

and was built on the

VxWorks VxWorks is a real-time operating system (or RTOS) developed as proprietary software by Wind River Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aptiv. First released in 1987, VxWorks is designed for use in embedded systems requiring real-time, determin ...

kernel while the Navigation computer used Microsoft

Windows CE Windows Embedded Compact, formerly Windows Embedded CE, Windows Powered and Windows CE, is an operating system subfamily developed by Microsoft as part of its Windows Embedded family of products. Unlike Windows Embedded Standard, which is base ...

for Automotive; this can be seen when the system reboots or restarts after a software crash, displaying a "Windows CE" logo. The first generation of iDrive controllers in the 7 Series was equipped with only a rotary knob. The GPS computer ("NAV01", located in the trunk) was only capable of reading map CDs. In October 2003, a menu and a customizable button was added to the controller. The new GPS computer ("NAV02") was updated to read DVDs, featured a faster processor and the ability to display the map in

bird's-eye view A bird's-eye view is an elevated view of an object or location from a very steep viewing angle, creating a perspective as if the observer were a bird in flight looking downwards. Bird's-eye views can be an aerial photograph, but also a draw ...

("perspective"). In April 2005, the iDrive controller was changed again, the turn knob having a new leather top. The last hardware update of the GPS unit ("NAV03") got a faster processor again. The map display is antialiased. The 8.8" wide-screen display was updated, having a brighter screen and the ability to control a MP3 capable 6 CD-changer or a BMW iPod Interface. Possible options include a TV tuner, DVD changer, BMW Night Vision, side view camera and a rear view camera.

iDrive Business (M-ASK)

M-ASK stands for MMI Audio System controller and is manufactured by

Becker Becker () is one of the German-language surnames, along with Bäcker and Baecker, that derive from the root, which refers to baking. The surname began as a name for a baker (and thus his family). In northern Germany it can also derive from the ...

. This is a limited version of the iDrive computer with a small 6.6" display and is only found on 5, 6 Series and the X5 or X6, without the navigation option. In addition, it can be ordered as an option in Europe on the 1 Series and 3 Series as "Business navigation", which has basic navigation abilities. Early versions of the Business navigation could only display directional arrows, but the latest version can also display 2D maps. iDrive Business Navigation uses a different map DVD than iDrive Professional Navigation. In addition, as only one optical drive is available, one cannot use both navigation and listen to a CD simultaneously. When iDrive Professional is ordered the M-ASK system is replaced by iDrive CCC Professional with a dual slot dash mounted drive computer and larger 8.8" display. iDrive Business is available on the following cars; * iDrive Business Navigation (optional) ** 1 Series E81/E82/E87/E88 ** 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 * iDrive Business (default when navigation is not ordered) ** 5 Series E60/E61 ** 6 Series E63/E64 ** X5 E70 ** X6 E71 The above list can vary depending on the region.

iDrive Professional Navigation (CCC)
Drive 2.0 Drive or The Drive may refer to: Motoring * Driving, the act of controlling a vehicle * Road trip, a journey on roads Roadways Roadways called "drives" may include: * Driveway, a private road for local access to structures, abbreviated "drive" * ...
/h2>
It debuted in 2003 with the E60/E61 5 Series and is based on Wind River
VxWorks VxWorks is a real-time operating system (or RTOS) developed as proprietary software by Wind River Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aptiv. First released in 1987, VxWorks is designed for use in embedded systems requiring real-time, determin ...
, a real-time operating system. CCC stands for Car Communication Computer and uses a larger 8.8" wide-screen display. It was available on the following cars as an option; * 1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 - 06/2004 – 09/2008 * 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 - 03/2005 – 09/2008 * 5-Series E60/E61 - 12/2003 – 11/2008 * 6-Series E63/E64 - 12/2003 – 11/2008 * X5 E70 - 03/2007 – 10/2009 * X6 E72 - 05/2008 – 10/2009 CCC based systems use a map DVD from Navteq in a dedicated DVD drive.

CCC - Update 1

This is a minor update to iDrive Professional debuted in March 2007. It adds additional programmable buttons in the dashboard to directly access frequent functions and it removes the haptic feedback from the iDrive controller. It is available on the following cars as an option; * 1 Series E81/E82/E87/E88 manufactured between March 2007 and September 2008 * 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 manufactured between March 2007 and August 2008 * 5 Series E60/E61 manufactured between March 2007 and August 2008 * 6 Series E63/E64 manufactured between March 2007 and August 2008 * X5 E70 manufactured until MY2010 * X6 E71

CCC - Update 2

This is a minor update debuted in September 2008 for Model Year 2009 cars equipped with iDrive Professional that did not get the new CIC based system. These cars get the new iDrive controller that is also used on cars with CIC. The actual iDrive computer (CCC) remains the same. This update is available on the following cars; * 5 Series E60/E61 manufactured in September 2008 to February 2009 (to October 2008 for European production) * 6 Series E63/E64 manufactured in September 2008 to February 2009 (to October 2008 for European production)

iDrive Professional Navigation (CIC) Drive 3.0/h2>
It debuted in September 2008 with F01/F02 7 Series. CIC stands for Car Information Computer and is manufactured by
Becker Becker () is one of the German-language surnames, along with Bäcker and Baecker, that derive from the root, which refers to baking. The surname began as a name for a baker (and thus his family). In northern Germany it can also derive from the ...
, utilizing the
QNX QNX ( or ) is a commercial Unix-like real-time operating system, aimed primarily at the embedded systems market. QNX was one of the first commercially successful microkernel operating systems. The product was originally developed in the early ...
operating system. It is available on the following cars as an option: * 1-Series E81/E82/E87/E88 - 09/2008 – 03/2014 * 1-Series F20/F21 - 09/2011 – 03/2013 * 3-Series E90/E91/E92/E93 - 09/2008 – 10/2013 * 3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80 - 02/2012 – 11/2012 * 5-Series E60/E61 - 11/2008 – 05/2010 * 5-Series F07 - 10/2009 – 07/2012 * 5-Series F10 - 03/2010 – 09/2012 * 5-Series F11 - 09/2010 – 09/2012 * 6-Series E63/E64 - 11/2008 – 07/2010 * 6-Series F06 - 03/2012 – 03/2013 * 6-Series F12/F13 - 12/2010 – 03/2013 * 7-Series F01/F02/F03 - 11/2008 – 07/2013 * 7-Series F04 - 11/2008 – 06/2015 * X1 E84 - 10/2009 – 06/2015 * X3 F25 - 10/2010 – 04/2013 * X5 E70 - 10/2009 – 06/2013 * X6 E71 - 10/2009 – 08/2014 * Z4 E89 - 04/2009 – 2016 The CIC system is a major update to iDrive, replacing the display, computer and the controller. The display is of a higher resolution, and is generally more responsive than CCC, to address one of the common complaints of iDrive. Internet access is also supported. CIC-based systems use maps from TeleAtlas that are installed on an internal 2.5" 80 GB
Hard Disk Drive A hard disk drive (HDD), hard disk, hard drive, or fixed disk is an electro-mechanical data storage device that stores and retrieves digital data using magnetic storage with one or more rigid rapidly rotating platters coated with magnet ...
(HDD). This HDD can also store up to 8 GB of music files for playback. For facilitating the uploading of music files to the HDD, a
USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) is an industry standard that establishes specifications for cables, connectors and protocols for connection, communication and power supply (interfacing) between computers, peripherals and other computers. A broad ...
port is provided in the glove box. Following 2009 LCI production, all CIC-based iDrive systems support DVD video. This, however, is only operational when the vehicle is in the "Park" position for automatic transmissions, or while the parking brake is set for vehicles that have a manual transmission. DVD audio will continue to play while driving.

iDrive Professional NBT (Next Big Thing) Drive 4.0/h2>
BMW introduced a further update to the iDrive Professional System in early 2012, calling it the "Next Big Thing" (NBT). It was introduced in current generation cars as an option, including: * 1-Series F20/F21 - 03/2013 – 03/2015 * 2-Series F22 - 11/2013 – 03/2015 * 3-Series F30/F31 - 11/2012 – 07/2015 * 3-Series F34 - 03/2013 – 07/2015 * 3-Series F80 - 03/2014 – 07/2015 * 4-Series F32 - 07/2013 – 07/2015 * 4-Series F33 - 11/2013 – 07/2015 * 4-Series F36 - 03/2014 – 07/2015 * 5-Series F07 - 07/2012 – 2016 * 5-Series F10/F11/F18 - 09/2012 – 2016 * 6-Series F06/F12/F13 - 03/2013 – 2016 * 7-Series F01/F02/F03 - 07/2012 – 06/2015 * X3 F25 - 04/2013 – 08/2017 * X4 F26 - 04/2014 – 08/2017 * X5 F15 - 08/2014 – 07/2016 * X5 F85 - 12/2014 – 07/2016 * X6 F16 - 08/2014 – 07/2016 * X6 F86 - 12/2014 – 07/2016 * i3 - 09/2013 – 09/2017 * i8 - 04/2014 – 09/2017 The update includes extensive hardware and software changes including cosmetic enhancements, faster processor, more memory, detailed 3D maps and improved routing. In addition, the capacity of the internal HDD has been increased from 10GB to 20GB. NBT also introduced a redesigned iDrive controller with optional handwriting recognition capabilities and gesture controls. This was achieved through a capacitive touch pad on top of the iDrive controller. NBT also removed the need for a separate COMBOX module for A2DP and USB media as those functions were integrated directly into the NBT Head Unit. BMW Online was also replaced with the newly introduced Connected Drive, which relied on a hardware TCB module with a built-in SIM card for mobile connectivity.

iDrive Professional NBT EVO Drive 5.0/6.0/h2>
NBT EVO (Evolution) was released starting in 2016 and represented the first major change in the operational logic of iDrive since being introduced in 2001. The familiar vertical list of text menus was replaced by a horizontal set of dynamic tiles, each able to show real time information. This update saw major updates to the iDrive hardware, including the ability to interact with the system via touch screen for the first time. BMW's Connected Drive services were further enhanced with this upgrade to the iDrive system, and the TCB module was replaced with a newer, faster ATM module. NBT EVO also introduced basic gesture controls as an optional extra on select BMW models. Three Interface options exist for NBT EVO. ID4 looks like CIC NBT while ID5 and ID6 feature the new horizontal tile interface. NBT EVO was available on the following BMW Models: * 1-Series F20/F21 - 03/2015 – 2019 * 2-Series F22 - 03/2015 – 2021 * 2-Series F23 - 11/2014 – 2021 * 3-Series F30/F31/F34/F80 - 07/2015 – 2018 * 4-Series F32/F33/F36 - 07/2015 – 2019 * 5-Series G30 - 10/2016 – 2019 * 6-Series F06/F12/F13 - 03/2013 – 2018 * 6-Series G32 - 07/2017 – 2018 * 7-Series G12 - 07/2015 – 2019 * X1 (F48) - 2015 – 2022 * X2 F39 - 2018 – present * X3 F25 - 03/2016 – 2017 * X3 G01 - 11/2017 – present * X4 F26 - 03/2016 – 2018 * X5 F15/F85 - 07/2016 – 2018 * X6 F16/F86 - 07/2016 – 2018 * i3 (ID6.0) 09/2018–present * i8 (ID6.0) 09/2018- 2020

BMW Live Cockpit series
Drive 7.0 Drive or The Drive may refer to: Motoring * Driving, the act of controlling a vehicle * Road trip, a journey on roads Roadways Roadways called "drives" may include: * Driveway, a private road for local access to structures, abbreviated "drive" * ...

iDrive consists of the MGU hardware (Media Graphics Unit) running the 7th generation of iDrive called BMW Operating System 7.0. Two Live Cockpit configurations are available: Live Cockpit Plus and Live Cockpit Professional. The Live Cockpit Plus system uses a hybrid analog/digital instrument cluster with a 5.7-inch Driver's Information Display and a 8.8-inch main display. In the Live Cockpit Professional System these are upgraded to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch main display. iDrive 7.0 is available on the following BMW models: *

BMW 1 Series (F40) The BMW 1 Series (F40) is the third generation of the BMW 1 Series range of subcompact executive hatchback cars. Unlike the previous generation F20 1 Series, the F40 1 Series uses a front-wheel drive configuration and is only available as a 5-d ...

* BMW 2 Series (F44) *

BMW 3 Series (G20) The seventh generation of the BMW 3 Series range consists of the BMW G20 (sedan version) and BMW G21 (wagon version, marketed as 'Touring') compact executive cars. The G20/G21 has been in production since mid-October 2018 with a facelift in July ...

BMW 4 Series (G22) The second generation of the BMW 4 Series consists of the BMW G22 (coupé version) along with the BMW G23 (convertible version) and BMW G26 (saloon version, marketed as the Gran Coupé) compact executive cars. The G22 4 Series was launched in Ju ...

BMW 5 Series (G30) The seventh generation of the BMW 5 Series consists of the BMW G30 (sedan version) and BMW G31 (wagon version, marketed as 'Touring') executive cars. The G30/G31 has been produced since 2016 by the Germany, German automaker BMW and is often coll ...

BMW 6 Series (G32) The G32 BMW 6 Series is the fourth generation of the BMW Gran Turismo range of hatchback mid-size luxury cars launched in 2017 as the successor to the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo. A facelifted version was unveiled alongside the new 5 Series on 2 ...

BMW 7 Series (G11) The sixth generation of the BMW 7 Series consists of the BMW G11 (normal version) and BMW G12 (long-wheelbase version) luxury saloons. The G11/G12 generation has been produced by BMW since 2015, and is often collectively referred to as the G11. ...

BMW 8 Series (G15) The second-generation of the BMW 8 Series consists of the BMW G14 (convertible version), BMW G15 (two-door coupe version) grand tourers and BMW G16 (four-door "Gran Coupe" sedan version) executive car (E-segment, E). The G14/G15/G16 generation ha ...

* BMW X3 (G01) * BMW iX3 (G08) *

BMW X4 (G02) The BMW X4 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW since 2014. It is marketed as a sports activity coupé (SAC), the second model from BMW marketed as such after the X6, and features styling elements and the roofline of a tradi ...

BMW X5 (G05) The G05 BMW X5 is a mid-size luxury SUV produced by German automaker BMW. It is the fourth, and current, generation of the BMW X5. It was launched in 2018 as the successor to the F15 X5. Sales of the X5 started in November 2018. The X5 M and X5 ...

BMW X6 (G06) The BMW X6 is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV by German automaker BMW. The BMW X6 is the originator of the sports activity coupé (SAC), referencing its sloping rear roof design. It combines the attributes of an SUV (high ground clearance, all- ...

BMW X7 (G07) The BMW X7 is a full-sized luxury sport utility vehicle manufactured by BMW. It is BMW's largest and most expensive SUV in its line-up. The X7 was first announced by BMW in March 2014. It was officially unveiled on October 17, 2018, with pre-ord ...

BMW Z4 (G29) The BMW Z4 (G29) is a two-door roadster produced by German automobile manufacturer BMW. It was introduced in 2018 as a successor to the E89 Z4. As a fifth model in the lineage, the Z4 (G29) marks the return of the soft-top roof to the Z Serie ...

BMW X1 (U11) The BMW X1 is a line of subcompact luxury crossovers produced by BMW. Debuted in 2009, the first-generation X1 has been based on the E90 3 Series and offers rear-wheel drive layout as standard. At its introduction, it was positioned as the sm ...

BMW Curved Display
Drive 8.0 Drive or The Drive may refer to: Motoring * Driving, the act of controlling a vehicle * Road trip, a journey on roads Roadways Roadways called "drives" may include: * Driveway, a private road for local access to structures, abbreviated "drive" * ...

BMW unveiled the 8th generation of iDrive in 2021 with ''BMW Curved Display''. iDrive 8.0 is available on the following BMW models: * BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (U06) * BMW 2 Series Coupé (G42) (after summer 2022) * BMW 3 Series (G20 facelift) *

BMW 7 Series (G70) The seventh generation of the BMW 7 Series (model code G70) are luxury saloons consisting of internal combustion versions and a battery electric version known as the BMW i7. It was introduced by BMW on 20 April 2022 during the nameplate's 45th ...

BMW iX1 The BMW X1 is a line of subcompact luxury crossovers produced by BMW. Debuted in 2009, the first-generation X1 has been based on the E90 3 Series and offers rear-wheel drive layout as standard. At its introduction, it was positioned as the sm ...

BMW i4 The BMW i4 (model code G26) is a battery electric compact executive car produced by BMW since 2021. It adopts a five-door liftback body style and is marketed as a four-door coupé. The initial concept version, named BMW i Vision Dynamics, debu ...

BMW iX The BMW iX is a battery-electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer BMW. It was unveiled in concept form named Vision iNext at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, and then as fully production-rea ...

BMW XM The BMW XM is a plug-in hybrid-electric full-size luxury crossover SUV manufactured by BMW under the BMW M subsidiary. It is the second car developed entirely by BMW M after the BMW M1 in 1978. A more powerful version, the Label Red, was al ...

Rationale

The

design rationale A design rationale is an explicit documentation of the reasons behind decisions made when designing a system or artifact. As initially developed by W.R. Kunz and Horst Rittel, design rationale seeks to provide argumentation-based structure to ...

of iDrive is to replace an array of controls for the above systems with an all-in-one unit. The controls necessary for vehicle control and safety, such as the

headlight A headlamp is a lamp (electrical component), lamp attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead. Headlamps are also often called headlights, but in the most precise usage (language), usage, ''headlamp'' is the term for the ...

s and

turn signal The lighting system of a motor vehicle consists of lighting and signalling devices mounted to or integrated into the front, rear, sides, and in some cases the top of a motor vehicle. They illuminate the road ahead for the driver and increase th ...

s, are still located in the immediate vicinity of the steering column. Since, in the rationale of the designers, the

air conditioning Air conditioning, often abbreviated as A/C or AC, is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space to achieve a more comfortable interior environment (sometimes referred to as 'comfort cooling') and in some cases also strictly controlling ...

car audio Vehicle audio is equipment installed in a car or other vehicle to provide in-car entertainment and information for the vehicle occupants. Until the 1950s it consisted of a simple AM radio. Additions since then have included FM radio (1952), 8 ...

and

controls are not used equally often, they have been moved into a central location. The ''iDrive'' M-ASK and CCC systems were based around the points of a compass (north, south, east, west) with each direction corresponding with a specific area. These areas are also colour-coded providing identification as to which part of the system is currently being viewed. * North (blue) for communication * East (green) for navigation (In some models without navigation, this option is replaced by the On Board Computer) * South (brown) for entertainment * West (red) for climate control Starting in 2007, iDrive added programmable buttons (6 USA/Japan, 8 in Europe) to the dashboard, breaking tradition of having the entire system operated via the control knob. Each button can be programmed to instantly access any feature within iDrive (such as a particular navigation route, or one's favorite radio station). In addition, a dedicated AM/FM button, and a Mode button (to switch between entertainment sources) were added for North American-market vehicles. Older versions of iDrive used a widescreen display that was split into a 2/3 main window, and 1/3 "Assistance Window". This allowed the driver to use a function or menu, while simultaneously maintaining secondary information. For example, if the driver was not in the Navigation menu, they could still see a map on the assistance window. Other information that could be displayed included navigation route directions and a trip computer.

Controversy

iDrive caused significant controversy among users, the automotive media, and critics when it was first introduced. Many reviewers of BMW vehicles in automobile magazines disapproved of the system. Criticisms of iDrive included its steep

learning curve A learning curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between how Skill, proficient people are at a task and the amount of experience they have. Proficiency (measured on the vertical axis) usually increases with increased experience ...

and its tendency to cause the driver to look away from the road too much. Most users report that they adapt to the system after about one year of practice, and the advent of voice controls has reduced the learning curve greatly. A new iDrive system (CIC) was introduced in September 2008 to address most of the complaints. iDrive NBT, introduced in 2012, brought further improvements.

References

External links

Third Generation BMW iDrive in the F01/F02 BMW 7 Series Operation VideoBMW Connected Drive FAQ
{{DEFAULTSORT:Idrive Advanced driver assistance systems Automotive technology tradenames BMW Human–computer interaction In-car entertainment Rolls-Royce Vehicle telematics