BMW Patents Configurable Exterior Mirrors
BMW is all about customization, and recent patent filings from the German Patent and Trademark Office point to their continued focus. In a patent published on August 8th, 2024, BMW has patented an invention to allow drivers configurable exterior mirrors. The patentâs description starts by essentially describing an exterior mirror as we know it today. Lights inside the mirror allow an integrated turn signal element to illuminate as needed. It goes on to explain that âthe disadvantage is that there is no individualization [of the] light signature emitted by the lamp.â Weâre not sure how high that ranks on the scale of automotive first world problems, but it canât be far off from âthis carâs Wi-Fi is too slowâ and âthese heated seats are too warm.â
While hardly saving the world, BMWâs latest invention strives to add another level of customizability to their vehicles. The patent means to âovercomeâ this challenge by using âa number of outer skin sections that have different designs and can be replaced alternately by a user in the exterior mirror housingâ. It goes on to say that âcorresponding designs could be characters, logos, images, or the like.â We imagine that using iDrive, youâd be able to select a pre-loaded (perhaps customized?) image to display in that area as youâre cruising along, distracting other drivers and fulfilling a lot of BMW driver stereotypes. It also sounds like these housings would be essentially clipped-on to existing ones, suggestion itâs something slated for the BMW Parts and Accessories catalog.
Real World Applications, or NotWhile weâre struggling to think of a truly practical use for this new technology, BMW has already debuted lots of attention-grabbing and customization-focused tech in the last year or two. From color-changing paint to this latest invention, BMW certainly prioritizes users having the power of choice. The good thing is that this doesnât seem to take away any functionality â i.e., the light should still operate as a regular turn signal when needed or if desired.
Using the configurable nature of the light could be useful for PHEV or EV drivers, too. It would be another way the car could indicate charge status. It will be interesting to see how BMW introduces the tech, if it ever makes its way to the production floor. As is often the case with complex tech with a tough value proposition, sometimes it never sees the light of day.
[Source: German Patent and Trademark Office via CarBuzz]
First published by https://www.bmwblog.com
BMW Patents Configurable Exterior Mirrors
BMW Patents Configurable Exterior Mirrors
BMW Patents Configurable Exterior Mirrors
BMW Patents Configurable Exterior Mirrors
BMW Patents Configurable Exterior Mirrors
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