Abstract
Keywords- BMW, iDrive, HMI, automotive, usability
With iDrive the BMW Group introduced in 2001 a revolutionary HMI concept in the automotive sector. It was designed to optimally support drivers in their various tasks while driving. The basic iDrive concept can be described as separating driving functions from comfort functions as well as separating displays from controls. This basic concept together with a highly mounted display ensures that controls can be reached with no need looking at them and that the central display is easy and quick to access. The trendsetting iDrive idea has been widely adopted in the automotive industry.
This paper outlines the iterative design and evaluation process leading to the new generation of iDrive being introduced in the new BMW 7 series in 2008. It describes how customers and their requirements are put in the focus of the concept development process. To accomplish the iDrive goals traditional market research and a wide variety of new usability testing methods are combined and efficiently applied together in the different phases of the product development process.