Ever wanted a car filled with hi-tech gadgets like James Bond? Well now you can. BMW has launched its new 7 Series model, the worlds first series of cars that can park itself via remote control. Using just your key fob, owners will be able to manoeuvre in or out of parking spaces or garages without anyone at the wheel.
Thats not the only new piece of hi-tech in the BMW 7 Series. The car also comes packed with gesture technology, allowing the driver to control the infotainment system with just the wave of their hand.
Adrian van Hooydonk, BMWs head of design, explained to IBTimes UK how the gesture control system would work.
He said: The gesture recognition is something very interesting because you no longer have to touch the screen, you just move your hands in front of the screen.
For example if a phone call comes in you can accept the call with one hand gesture, or decline the call and it goes to voicemail with another hand gesture.
With former high-end novelties such as infotainment systems and Bluetooth hands-free sets now present in most new cars, cutting-edge technology has become increasingly important for manufacturers to make their luxury vehicles stand out from the crowd.
I think luxury by definition offers the customer more than he or she expects. In a luxury car, I believe its a combination of traditional elements like perfect fit and finish, craftsmanship, fantastic materials and also new things like hi-tech elements, intelligence and a certain warmth and comfort and overall well-being, Van Hooydonk said.
The luxury car market continues to grow, with BMW leading the way with 1.8 million vehicles sold in 2014. Rival manufacturers are increasingly introducing groundbreaking technology like this as they try to both keep existing customers and lure new ones. So do not be surprised if luxury cars continue to take influence from Hollywood movies in the future.
