BMW’s smart door handles will show the locking status and identify your fingerprint

BMW is exploring door handles with MicroLED displays and fingerprint readers. These would indicate the locking status and recognize the driver, but for now it is only a patent application.

Handle as a small screen

Displays in cars no longer have to stay only on the dashboard. According to a newly published patent application, BMW is investigating their use directly in exterior door handles. A small screen would display the vehicle’s status and could also offer light animations.

The CarMoses website brought this solution to attention. The design relies on MicroLED technology and dynamic content. Thus, the handle could show a different symbol when the car is locked and another when the doors are unlocked.

In addition to practical information, the BMW logo or animated effects are also considered. The display could be activated by bringing a hand close or through touch. This way, the driver would receive a visual response right where they plan to open the car.

Unlocking with a fingerprint

The even more interesting option is integrating a fingerprint reader into the door handle. Once a legitimate user is recognized, the system would electrically unlock the doors. This would allow the driver to enter the car by simply placing their finger on it, without using a traditional key.

The description also mentions a combination of fingerprint scanning and face recognition via a camera inside the vehicle. This would serve as another method for verifying the user. However, the available description of the design does not specify exactly how these steps would work together.

The display itself could take the form of a thin MicroLED film protected by transparent glass or plastic. Such a design would enable integration into the door handle without any protruding screen. The technology would thus become part of its surface.

Durability and emergency controls also play a role

A button with a display and biometrics could clarify the locking status and provide an additional way to access the car. However, it also adds electronics to a location exposed to rain, dirt, and temperature changes. Durability will be crucial for such a solution.

The design also includes an additional control button above the regular button area, which could be used for emergency unlocking. However, the available description does not clarify whether or how it would function in the event of a complete power outage of the vehicle.

For now, this is only a patent application. The timeline for deployment or the actual model are unknown. This idea shows the direction the automaker is considering, so the real implementation might look quite different.

Sources:

Original text / Elektrickevozy.cz

Espace Net Patents

CarMoses

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