Visitors to January's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas can sneak a peek at BMW's latest "trailblazing concepts and revolutionary technology."

That includes the HoloActive Touch system—a virtual touch screen acting as an interface between the driver and vehicle. This one differentiates itself from other full-color Head-Up Displays (HUDs), typically projected onto the windshield, by floating.

HoloActive Touch seemingly floats next to the steering wheel, at the height of the center console where users can access route assistance, as well as managing volume control and calls. An embedded camera detects the user's hand movements; as soon as a fingertip makes contact with a virtual control surface, a tactile feedback pulse is emitted and the relevant function is activated.

"For the first time, the functions can be controlled without any physical contact with materials," according to BMW. "But the technology still enables the visible and tangible driver-vehicle interaction familiar from conventional touch screens."

The German automaker is no stranger to CES: In 2015, it showed off a function that lets users adjust the music's volume or accept a phone call by pointing a finger.

A year later, the AirTouch 3D gesture control system debuted, marking a "big leap forward" for the company. Simple signals made with an open hand let motorists activate control pads on a panoramic dashboard display without actually touching the interface.

An AirTouch button on the side of the steering wheel (for drivers) and on the door (for passengers) make it easy to navigate the menu with one hand while using the other to confirm inputs.

Visitors to the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show, from Jan. 5-8 in Nevada, can get "an impression of the mobility experience" expected in BMW's connected and autonomous vehicles "in the future."