BMW i3 Connected Drive - CES 2014

The BMW i3 CES 2014 feature presented by Linus Tech Tips showcases how BMW connects the car to your smartphone through Connected Drive, turning the vehicle into a highly integrated, mobile-enabled experience. Before even entering the car, you can locate the vehicle on a map, send destinations, unlock or lock doors, flash headlights, honk the horn, check tire pressure, and view available driving range, all via your phone. Inside the car, the integration becomes even more seamless as app APIs from the phone wirelessly sync with the car, allowing tasks such as streaming Pandora, tweeting your route, and selecting predefined messages through the car’s dial system to minimize driver distraction. The system proactively helps when you’re out of range or have a destination outside your current range, offering nearby charging stations, transit options, or alternate routes with micro destinations along the way. A distinctive feature is the concierge service, enabled by a 3G connection for maps and remote assistance, which can be activated with a press of a button and connected through the phone service to provide real-time information or services, such as locating bubble tea in Las Vegas. Additionally, the i3 uses a two-cylinder engine as a generator to charge the battery when a charging station is not nearby, and it includes safety-oriented capabilities like accident type detection to summon emergency services quickly, all while the car’s carbon fiber body provides a safety blanket of protection. Overall, the review frames the i3 not just as a car but as a connected, phone-centric computer on wheels, illustrating a broader shift toward experience-based, wireless automotive ecosystems that blend mobility with digital services.

Topics · technology · automotive · connected_vehicle · ces · consumer_electronics