From the title I thought it was referring to the iDrive knob. The knob was originally designed by 3DConnexion, which was a Logitech subsidiary that made human interface devices for 3D modeling
As someone who has used both a 3DConnexion space mouse and a BMW iDrive knob I always noted the similarity in design but do you have a source for the BMW iDrive knob originally being developed by 3dCx/Logitech? Because I have never seen a claim that there was actually a partnership or work done by the latter for the BMW. I think it is just a strong influence of single-point UI and a coincidence. 3dConnexion was founded in 2001, and the first BMW iDrive vehicle was the 2001 7-series but they had concept center-knob UI control before that.
The use of the shifter though, is something else