Long before we talked about displays, lighting signatures, or AI in material reviews, we started with something which grabs human beings immediately by their emotions: smell!
It hasn’t gone away. Quite the opposite, in fact. BMW has been studying and engineering their version of that vaunted new car smell – not as a brand perfume, nor as random materials offgassing, but as a carefully-tuned, deliberate, controlled aspect of of the interior of the car – no less than the colors, textures, shapes, finishes, and lighting.
A cabin isn’t truly a premium BMW cabin, by this philosophy, unless it smells just right. Not by adding perfume, but by thoughtfully paying attention to any element of the in-car smell that might disturb or tire occupants, or could betray a poor choice of material, adhesive, or process. It is about making the in-car experience feel exactly as it should.
Meanwhile, I’m seeing a trend toward integral-system approaches to interior design, equipment, and configuration. DS is pursuing a premium presentation through thermal, acoustic and material comfort, and Ford is working to consolidate UX, DMS, and CMF into a single, coherent product.
That is exactly why our event in Cologne matters. With more than 11 OEMs already confirmed, Cologne is already shaping up as a amazing event for those who know that user experience is never the result of one display, one material or one software layer, but of how everything works together : seating, lighting, interfaces, electronics and perceived quality. That is why we are sharing the full agenda, all sessions and the detailed speaker line-up here.
For anyone who would like to join the discussion in person, registration is already open here. And for companies looking to engage more visibly with this community, exhibition opportunities are also available.
Take care,
