What is BMW's Gesture Control?

[DeChristian]

BMW's gesture control allows drivers to conveniently and quickly adjust volume or access maps, among other functions, through simple hand gestures. This feature supports up to 7 different gestures in the new BMW 3 Series. How to Set Up BMW Gesture Control: Turn on the ignition; Use the i-Drive system; Press the MENU button in the multifunction button area; Select "Vehicle" on the display; Choose i-Drive settings; Select Gestures; Enable Gesture Control. Gesture Recognition Technology: Gesture recognition technology primarily follows three technical approaches: ToF technology, represented by BMW and Volkswagen, which calculates the propagation time of light to determine distance and interprets finger positions and movements based on varying distances; Structured light technology, represented by Intel, similar to ToF but using patterned light with dots, lines, or surfaces; Millimeter-wave radar, which operates on a principle similar to ToF technology but uses radio waves instead of light for measurement, as seen in Google's Project Soli that employs millimeter-wave radar sensors.

[DiMolly]

I find BMW's gesture control to be a pretty cool automotive technology. It uses an in-car camera to capture hand movements for controlling certain functions, like waving a hand while driving to turn up the music volume or skip to the next track, eliminating the need to divert attention to press buttons. This system is integrated into BMW's iDrive multimedia system and is quite user-friendly, especially practical for those who frequently listen to music or take calls. In actual use, I've noticed it responds quickly to gestures, but occasionally misinterprets if the hand isn't positioned correctly, requiring a bit more practice. BMW introduced this to make driving smarter and safer, reducing the risk of looking down at screens. Personally, I think it's particularly helpful on highways or in congested areas, helping me keep my focus on the road while adding a touch of tech-savvy appeal—definitely worth trying for car owners.