Good Idea! Now find a better one.

Why do BMW’s, the ultimate driving machines, have so many driver distracting gadgets?

Engaget and Wired Blogs report that BMW is rolling out a concept satellite/WiFi/Cellular entertainment console in the dashboard. Entertainment for the kids in the back, sure. Download content off satellite TV so you can watch it when you get to the hotel, absolutely.
But why put it in the dashboard of the ultimate driving machine…Driving.

I’m not a fan of BMW’s iDrive system, I think it’s distracting, over complicated gadgetry. I have no problem with its functionality, but for the driver of a driver’s car it exposes unnecessary functions while driving.

Get In. Sit Down. Shut Up and Hold On.
The real brain teaser is what’s the passenger doing? Given that the driver needs to…well, drive, what can a passenger do with all this dashboard technology?

Passengers aren’t driving so they don’t need any voice activated wizardry. They can use both hands, both eyes and both halves of their brains. Granted, there isn’t always someone in the passenger seat but that’s the point. There isn’t always no one in the passenger seat.

What could you do with a navigation system when the user doesn’t have to navigate through traffic and change lanes with semis bearing down? What couldn’t you do with an entertainment system?

In car games with the kid’s in the back? Control a camera in the front grill to create a time lapse video of the trip? Monitor 4 camera feeds and advise the driver while parallel parking? Check the weather. Find motels along the highway. Look up restaurant locations and read the reviews. Plan routes with multiple stops along the way and change the plan halfway through.

Or how about when that useful worthless service light stains the driver’s dashboard, actually show all the diagnostics to the passenger. Who wants to go back to the dealer when all you need is windshield washer fluid?

All passengers can do today is twiddle their thumbs and change the radio station. And all drivers really need to do is drive. There’s no reason the ultimate driving machine can’t add the ultimate passenger experience.