BMW to show off new laser lights and OLED tech at CES 2015

Although the Detroit Auto Show is arguably one the biggest events in the automotive industry, many automakers have chosen to unveil their new concept cars and upcoming technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. While CES tends to be more focused on the electronics industry, several automakers have been showing up at the trade show in recent years, and 2015 is no exception.

This year’s CES is looking to be a particularly interesting one for automotive technology thanks to German automakers. Stuttgart-based Mercedes-Benz has already teased its autonomous vehicle concept while Chemnitz-based Audi has shown off its new 3D sound system. However, it’s Munich-based BMW that’s looking to be the most impressive, which teased it’s self-parking technology earlier last month, and has now given us even more to be excited about for CES 2015.

BMW recently teased a new feature for its ConnectedDrive infotainment and connectivity system that it calls the BMW ConnectedDrive Store. This feature allows you to install or update a variety of apps from your home or within your car so long as you’re connected to the internet, very similar to how a smartphone works. This feature is already available in Europe and will be heading stateside later this year.

Perhaps the most interesting teaser that BMW has given is for its new lighting technology. The automaker will be presenting this technology in a new concept car that BMW says will demonstrate the kind of innovative lighting technology that we can expect in future vehicle, such as a smart laser light system. While the company already offers laser headlights on its i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, this new system is linked up to a plethora of cameras, sensors, and driver assistance systems. This could open the door to a cacophony of interesting features in the near future.

The company is also showcasing OLED (organic light-emitting diode) tail-lights that generate a uniform light across their entire surface, as opposed to the single source of light that conventional LEDs produce. At just 1.4 millimeters thick, the elements are exceptionally thin, and will allow for individual modules to be activated separately, thus opening the door to a variety of possible designs for the rear lights.