BMW unveiled in-car technology in the form of a large 31-inch screen to entertain rear seat passengers at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) technology exhibition.
It’s not yet known when or if the large screen will be available to consumers, but BMW suggests it could be attached to the ceiling of a luxury car, turning the back seat into a “private cinema room”.
The screen itself has an 8K resolution and can play content with an aspect ratio of 16:9, 21:9, or 32:9. the screen that is presented is a touch screen, and there is a small touchpad control installed on the back door of the car.
The screen is a Fire TV set, just like soundbars, sticks, and other televisions running Fire OS, so it can access most modern video streaming services and other Fire TV apps for streaming over the car’s 5G connection.
Theater Mode includes surround sound with a system of over 30 speakers from Bowers & Wilkins. BMW describes the sound as “4D” because it includes its own rear seat-mounted speakers so passengers can feel the audio vibrations at more intense moments.
When the screen descends from the ceiling, BMW says “the roller sun blinds for the side and rear windows were closed and the ambient lighting at the rear of the vehicle was dimmed.
BMW has a working, in-car prototype theater screen installed at the CES show. The company has not announced when the system might be available to customers or at what cost.
But during the CES presentation, the BMW presenter said that the features “look very similar to what will soon be launched in series production.”