BMW introduced a touchless touchscreen during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new technology, dubbed AirTouch, picks up simple hand gestures as well as being operated like a traditional touchscreen without having to make contact with the surface.
The technology uses sensors installed in the dashboard which respond to hand movements and enables three-dimensional control. The movement of the hand activates the surface on the large panoramic display. Also enabling the technology is a concealed AirTouch button on the steering wheel and on the side sill in the door area of the passenger side of the cabin that allows occupants to activate the center screen and toggle through various menus that are sensitive to hand gestures.
BMW says the intelligent AirTouch menu control reduces the number of steps needed to make a selection and allows drivers to focus their attention on the road ahead.
