BMW Enters the Realm of Mixed Reality, Blending Physical and Virtual Environments
BMW has taken a significant step forward in the automotive industry with the introduction of BMW M Mixed Reality, an augmented reality platform designed to enhance the driving experience for BMW M vehicles.
The pilot project of BMW M Mixed Reality began this year at the BMW M Performance Driving School in California, USA. BMW M first presented this technology at the Web Summit in Lisbon in November 2022.
With BMW M Mixed Reality, users can immerse themselves in a digital world while physically sitting at the wheel of a BMW M vehicle and controlling it. Every acceleration, turn, and braking maneuver is transmitted to the virtual world without latency, thanks to precise sensor technology and signal processing.
The system integrates with BMW M and BMW models equipped with BMW ConnectedDrive, using advanced vehicle sensors, head-up displays, and in-car digital interfaces to seamlessly combine augmented reality with real driving inputs and vehicle status. Supported models include a broad range of current BMW M luxury cars, ensuring the mixed reality features correspond with the high-tech capabilities of these cars.
BMW M Mixed Reality enhances the digital driving experience by providing interactive AR elements tied to vehicle functions and driving dynamics. Singleplayer mode allows drivers to experience personalized augmented driving assist features, likely including performance telemetry, navigation enhancements, and virtual coaching or challenges based on BMW M’s motorsport heritage. Multiplayer mode involves connected experiences such as virtual races or cooperative driving sessions where multiple users share an augmented driving environment digitally.
Since fall 2023, BMW M Mixed Reality has been available in the singleplayer mode as part of the BMW M Driving Experience in Maisach, the world's first driving experience for customers. The technology can be adapted to different vehicle platforms to provide a consistent and immersive mixed reality experience.
The possibilities of virtual reality with BMW M Mixed Reality are vast. Spectators with personified avatars can virtually watch the race live from the BMW M Mixed Reality Bridge without being physically present at the multiplayer location. Participating in a multiplayer race on the BMW M Rooftop Circuit is just one of the many virtual reality experiences that BMW M Mixed Reality offers.
BMW M Mixed Reality can be experienced using devices like the Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro. The technology is integrated into the standardized in-vehicle systems of all BMW and BMW M automobiles, requiring no additional sensors.
Looking ahead, BMW M is considering offering the new BMW M5 with M Mixed Reality in the future. The technology for BMW M Mixed Reality will be presented again in Lisbon this year.
In summary, BMW M Mixed Reality is a state-of-the-art augmented reality platform designed to blend digital content with real-world BMW M driving, supporting immersive singleplayer personalization and multiplayer connectivity within BMW’s modern M lineup through BMW ConnectedDrive technology. As of 2024/2025, the system is confirmed as expanding and evolving substantially to enhance digital experience in the BMW M ecosystem.
Technology plays a significant role in the integration of BMW M Mixed Reality, with advanced vehicle sensors, head-up displays, and in-car digital interfaces working together to seamlessly combine augmented reality with real driving inputs and vehicle status.
Driver assistance systems, such as the Meta Quest or Apple Vision Pro, are gadgets that can be used to experience BMW M Mixed Reality, offering immersive singleplayer personalization and multiplayer connectivity for BMW M vehicles.
