BMW Turns Panoramic Sunroof Into a TV, Covering Nearly the Entire Roof

According to foreign media reports, BMW has just obtained a patent for a screen that can cover the entire car roof. BMW hopes to turn at least a large part of the vehicle's headliner into a display screen. BMW pointed out that panoramic glass sunroofs have issues such as excessive weight, insufficient safety, and causing the cabin to overheat, so this giant screen is considered a potential upgrade option to ordinary glass.

(Image source: BMW Group)

The curved display will cover more than 90% of the vehicle's roof area. When passengers look up, their main field of view will be occupied by the screen. This screen is not intended for entertainment content or navigation display, but instead projects a real-time view of the sky above the car through external cameras. In cloudy weather conditions, the system can display alternative images, such as mountain scenery or swaying palm trees, or other visuals that BMW believes can enhance the cabin’s sense of affinity. It can also be used for light therapy, displaying soothing color patterns when users are parked for charging or resting.

BMW states that the screen must meet the requirement of single-axis bending to fit closely to the car roof. Although the patent does cover dual-axis bending solutions, such screens have yet to be commercialized. The playback of pre-recorded images will be synchronized in real time with the vehicle's speed, theoretically allowing passengers to experience an immersive sense of travel, as if they are truly driving through the landscapes simulated on the roof.

The patent document does not mention using this new type of screen for conventional movie watching or streaming. Instead, it is simply meant to allow users to see the outside scenery without actually looking through the car’s exterior. Taking the flagship 7 Series as an example, the cabin may still retain a standard widescreen TV. Is this design logic confusing? Would BMW really replace glass with screens? If costs are manageable, it is possible. Even lightweight models like the M4, which are already equipped with carbon fiber roofs, are no exception, as this aligns perfectly with the direction of the automotive industry in 2025.