BMW M Expands Digital Driving with Mixed Reality

BMW is pushing the boundaries of the driving experience with its BMW M Mixed Reality, combining the physical and digital worlds through advanced virtual and mixed reality technologies. Drivers can now interact with their vehicles in a 3D digital environment, turning the car into a controller and transforming how they engage with the vehicle and its surroundings.

Photo from BMWGroup Press

BMW introduced this technology at the Web Summit in Lisbon in 2022 and has continuously refined it. With BMW M Mixed Reality, drivers can sit behind the wheel of a BMW M car and immerse themselves in a digital world while maintaining full control of the physical vehicle. This unique blend of realities creates a thrilling, multisensory driving experience.

Photo from BMWGroup Press

The system also includes multiplayer capabilities, allowing participants to race in virtual environments. Spectators can join in, too, virtually watching the race through avatars from remote locations using devices like Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro. The BMW M Rooftop Circuit, a shimmering digital cityscape, is the latest example where drivers dodge obstacles and collect coins, all while driving real BMW M cars.

With precise GPS and sensor technology, every vehicle movement is accurately mirrored in the virtual world, ensuring a seamless experience. The technology integrates into BMW’s standard systems, making it adaptable to various models, from traditional combustion engines to electric vehicles. This flexibility means future models, like the BMW M5, could be enhanced with BMW M Mixed Reality for an even more immersive experience.

As BMW continues to develop this technology, it hints at future innovations, including drifting simulations and advanced driving training applications.

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