BMW has long been on the forefront of merging information technology in vehicles. Nearly to the point where you need a computer science degree to fully appreciate their iDrive on-board vehicle information system. Ahead of the 2011 Geneva Auto Show debut next month, BMW has released images of their new concept called the Vidion ConnectedDrive which takes information technology integration to another level. The interior of the concept aims to allow driver and passenger to equally engage and share information. The driver can view 3d navigation and alert information on an enhanced head-up display overlaid on the road ahead, similar to an augmented reality display. The benefit here is taking navigation information typically displayed on a separate screen currently and merging that into a real world view. Located below is a customizable instrument cluster which presents information in 3d and can be optimized to present information based on relevance to the current driving conditions. The passenger has a separate display which is networked to the driver’s instrument panel. Passengers have access to the internet and can send address details directly to the navigation system. Another interesting feature is the Emotional Browser. Using a series of sensors located in the headlights,taillights and side mirrors, the car can gather information in real time during each journey. Some of this is practical data like traffic, obstacle avoidance, and weather conditions. But BMW says the system can also create a snapshot of the location, mood, and people the car encounters on each trip. Might this be the beginning of vehicles having their own distinct personality profile?