The most interesting BMW patents

BMW is one of the world leaders in developing and implementing new products. The Bavarians are ahead of most competitors in this indicator and will not stop there. Every year, the company patents many new inventions that become a real sensation and give hope for a bright future for the automotive industry. This article will consider only the most interesting BMW patents that all car lovers should know about.
Adjustable exterior mirrors
In August 2024, BMW patented the so-called adjustable exterior mirrors. They are similar to standard side mirrors, supplemented with built-in interior lighting. Its presence will allow drivers to choose one of the available options, thereby changing the color and visual perception of these design elements. To make changes, owners of cars that are available not only at the company’s dealerships but also at the BMW M6 auction need to use BMW iDrive. After that, passing vehicle drivers can enjoy the result and pleasantly surprise you.
Yoke steering wheel
In 2022, BMW patented its new steering wheel. It is made in the form of a yoke, which provides several significant advantages at once. The first of these is the ability to use a side grip. It reduces the load on the driver’s hands and reduces his fatigue during long trips. The second positive point is simplifying the process of turning the steering wheel.
Due to its unique shape, this action becomes more controlled, which helps to avoid various errors in control. The third advantage of the yoke steering wheel is the additional free space for the driver’s legs. It appears due to the reduction in the vertical dimensions of the main control element. This space will give the driver greater freedom of action when using the autonomous driving function.
Chameleon car
One of the most fascinating inventions of BMW, for which the company received a patent, was the chameleon car. Like amazing lizards from the animal world, these vehicles can change the color of the body. Such an unusual effect is achieved through a thin decorative film patented by BMW. It is created from many microscopic capsules smaller than a hair’s thickness.
These capsules are filled with even smaller particles painted in different colors. After that, a small electric charge is applied to the film, which activates particles of one color or another (depending on the strength of the charge). They collect on the surface of each of the millions of microcapsules and paint the car in the color the user chooses.
All this splendor can be controlled using a special switch in the vehicle’s interior. BMW plans to use similar developments in the interior trim of the car and the design of mirrors, radiator grilles, and other design elements. The first chameleon car of the Bavarians was the BMW iX Flow concept car. Its owners can change the color from white to black in seconds.
Flat windows
In 2021, BMW patented its new door windows. Their developers made them flat and unlike their counterparts in most models known today. This invention is intended exclusively for electric cars. With its help, BMW wants to achieve better aerodynamics for such vehicles and increase their maximum speed. Flat door windows are frameless. This adds to their attractiveness and makes the cars stylish. At the same time, the lack of a frame forced the developers to use wider seals (between the panels and the glass), which were received ambiguously by experts.
Unique door concept
BMW pays attention to every detail of its cars and tries to improve even what seems ideal. That is why the company’s engineers have developed and patented a unique door concept. Its peculiarity lies in creating a new method of opening them, simplifying and speeding up the procedure of getting in and out of the car. This development involves changing the design of the vehicle’s roof.
It will become cut down more, ensuring the free opening of the doors upward and not to the side. The purpose of making such changes is to create conditions in which, even in tight parking lots, it will be possible to get into and out of the cabin freely. Such changes will be used exclusively on new BMW electric cars, which will appear shortly.
Virtual mirror
An interesting and promising development by BMW is a virtual mirror. The company has already tested its new product and received a patent. This development involves using translucent mirrors in cars, which will be part of the side windows. An image from outside cameras will be projected onto them, resulting in the driver’s ability to see everything in ordinary mirrors. The virtual mirror will be placed in the side window where the person sitting behind the wheel can see it at a familiar angle. This will relieve users of any discomfort and will not affect the safety of their trips.
Pre-chamber combustion technology in the petrol engine
In 2024, BMW completed the patent application process for its unique pre-chamber combustion technology. It should significantly improve the efficiency of gasoline engines and provide car owners with several other significant benefits. Initially, pre-chamber combustion was used exclusively on diesel engine vehicles. However, BMW representatives were able to implement similar technology for gasoline models.
This development is expected to help improve fuel combustion efficiency, significantly reduce the noise generated during engine operation, and allow for a smoother ride. The new product should first appear on the BMW X5 G65. The Bavarian company plans to release it in late 2026 or early 2027. There is also a possibility that pre-chamber combustion technology will be implemented in several subsequent models.
Tech Blaster
Rear-wheel steering
In 2021, the famous German automaker patented a proprietary rear-wheel steering system. It is an improved version of the traditional system used on expensive and budget models for many years. The BMW version will make it possible to increase the steering angle of the rear wheels and open up broader possibilities when driving a car. For example, this development will create models that can accelerate to high speeds, be more controllable, and simplify the parking procedure for large vehicles. Another advantage will be the ability to take turns at high speeds without experiencing the feeling of losing control over the car’s behavior.
BMW is a unique company that independently develops many interesting new products. Every year, it receives many patents for various inventions and actively implements them in the design of its cars. Thanks to these innovations, BMW models are always ahead of competitors and have become well-recognized worldwide. In the future, the German company is ready to continue its active activities and offer car lovers many interesting and valuable new products.