Definition: smart surface

A trend in future automobiles that turns any interior or exterior surface into a display or control center. The goal is to hide physical and touchscreen buttons in order to make the interior as sleek as possible. Any part of the dashboard or car's interior can become a smart surface.

Today's Smart Surface is the Touchscreen
For some time now, a central touchscreen has replaced physical buttons, dials and levers, and the screen can be turned off. However, because modern vehicles use an internal network instead of wiring harnesses to route many signals, this network can be routed anywhere throughout the vehicle to create smart surfaces.

Like all user-machine interaction, the intelligent layout of the user interface is critical, especially in a moving vehicle. Text descriptions that are not clear or too small may distract the driver. Will smart surfaces be more sizzle than steak? Stay tuned! See user interface and smart.

Smart Surfaces to the Extreme

In 2023, BMW introduced the "I Vision Dee," touted as the first BMW with a digital soul. Using e-ink technology, the car will be able to dynamically change the color and design of its exterior to virtually anything. Perhaps rather practical. In the summer, white reflects heat, but a dark color absorbs heat in the winter. (Image courtesy of BMW of North America, LLC.)