Research project for innovative control systems: Drive Stick.

BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH also carries out ground-breaking work in the development of revolutionary operating concepts and control systems. One example of this is the concept of an entirely innovative cockpit design presented in a second-generation BMW 3 Series compact, with the Drive Stick as the focal point. Instead of steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedal, the concept vehicle has two control levers projecting vertically from the door panel and the centre console. These allow the driving direction, acceleration and deceleration to be controlled using drive-by-wire technology.

The two control sticks linked to each other transfer commands to the drive, braking and steering system electronically without any mechanical link. The sticks are pushed forward to activate the acceleration, and the instruction to apply the brakes to the vehicle is passed on by pulling the drive sticks back. The driver transfers steering instructions by moving the levers to right or left. These movements allow all dynamic movements involving longitudinal or transverse manoeuvres to be carried out by intuitive manual control. Gearshift commands for the automatic transmission can be conveyed by pressing on the buttons integrated in the control levers. The controller of the iDrive system is also integrated in the Drive Sticks. In emergency situations, the passenger could also intervene and take control of the drive, control and steering functions.

Eliminating the pedals and steering wheel opens up new dimensions for innovative concepts in cockpit design. The intensive cooperation between the specialists in drive-by-wire technology and the design department of BMW Technik GmbH led to a revolutionary new design for the interior. The research vehicle has a central rear-view projection display on the centre console. Innovative solutions were also developed in the design of the structural member for the instrument panel and the position of the seats for the driver and passenger. Aside from the general feeling of space in the interior, convenience and comfort were optimised for the driver getting in and out of the car.

The Drive Stick project provides a particularly vivid example of the abilities of the specialists working at BMW Forschung und Technik GmbH to ask questions about basic assumptions, deploy a high level of creativity in seeking out radically different solutions, and harness the potential of innovative technologies. The knowledge collected in this project played a major role in influencing the development of the electromechanical power steering marketed for BMW series models. It also provides the typical BMW steering feeling under the conditions of power steering support.

SOURCE: BMW