Although the car on show at CES could only switch between gray and white, BMW claims that the technology will eventually be expanded to include a spectrum of colors.
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BMW iX Flow Uses E-Reader Technology to Change the SUV’s Color
- This week at CES, BMW debuted the iX Flow concept, which can change color as long as it is a grayish hue.
- E Ink, the same material used in e-readers like the Kindle, is utilized to cover the iX Flow.
- Instant customisation is possible with the technology, which can also make the iX Flow more energy-efficient.
BMW presented two new products at the 2022 CES that will soon be available to consumers: the 2023 iX M60 electric SUV and a 31-inch screen with an integrated Amazon Fire TV. BMW unveiled the iX Flow, a futuristic idea that showcased its creative genius. The Flow, based on the iX SUV, can change color in the blink of an eye thanks to a material called E Ink, which is used in the displays of e-readers like the Kindle.
The iX Flow now only has the ability to switch between white, grey, and black, but BMW said that adding bright hues isn’t completely out of the question. Millions of microcapsules containing negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments make up the E Ink wrap. An electrical field can be used to excite these microcapsules, which have a diameter comparable to the thickness of a human hair, causing various concentrations of each pigment to be brought to the surface. This alters the color of the car.
Future BMWs may employ the E Ink technology in some situations, according to BMW. The driver would be able to modify their vehicle’s appearance based on their aesthetic choices thanks to the color-changing wrap, for starters. E Ink might increase the car’s efficiency by turning the iX Flow white in hot, sunny conditions to lessen the amount of heat it absorbs and lower the need for the air conditioner. The iX Flow might change to black in cold weather to absorb as much heat as possible and use less energy for the heating system. An EV would maintain a longer range in more harsh temperatures if the climate control systems used less battery power. BMW also advises using the material inside the car to stop surfaces like the dashboard from overheating when exposed to the sun.
Since the E Ink does not need a current to retain the selected shade, the E Ink technology is also incredibly energy-efficient in and of itself, only requiring power during the brief color-changing phase. BMW did not go into detail about the production potential of the E Ink technology used in the iX Flow, but it did say that using the material was not overly expensive and that E Ink might ultimately be used in production cars.
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BMW created a color-changing vehicle.
This BMW can change its appearance at the touch of a button thanks to the same technology used in e-readers.
Currently, altering the outside color of an automobile requires a standard painting procedure. What if you could accomplish that by pressing a button, though? With the aid of E Ink technology, BMW is researching this feature, and this week the German carmaker presented a color-changing prototype automobile to CES 2022.
This electric SUV concept, known as the iX Flow, changes the exterior color nearly instantly thanks to the electrophoretic technology used in E Ink. How does it work? A unique wrap on the iX stimulates pigments of various colors to rise to the top. The color-changing effect can appear in stripes, blotches, front-to-back, side-to-side, and other patterns. These adjustments are possible because to the E Ink wrap.
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Implementing E Ink offers two major advantages. First of all, it makes a whole new realm of personalization possible by enabling owners to alter the color and style of their vehicle in accordance with their mood, circumstances, or other factors. The vehicle “becomes a representation of various moods and circumstances in daily life,” according to Stella Clarke, project manager for the iX Flow. The only colors available at the moment, though, are black, white, and gray, which is OK if your “various moods and circumstances in daily life” included being depressed on a rainy day. (I can identify.)
The further advantage? a rise in effectiveness. White cars will stay cooler than black ones on hot, bright days because they reflect more sunlight. Similar to how dark exterior hues help a car absorb more sunlight and heat on chilly days. Even if the difference is modest, BMW claims that it can lessen the amount of heating or cooling required to condition the car on hot or cold days, improving its overall operating economy.
The iX Flow’s wrap is formed of segments of e-paper, and it uses the same E Ink technology as e-reader tablets. Because of this, the iX can only change colors in the grayscale; but, as E Ink technology advances to support more bright colors (ideally), the iX Flow will be able to do the same. Even while the concept is cool, it’s impossible to predict whether BMW will ever put color-changing body panels into production.
With the touch of a button or, if you prefer, by tapping the screen of your smartphone, BMW’s iX Flow changes from white to black.
A automobile that changes colors was been unveiled by BMW, one of the most incredible innovations in the automotive industry. At the push of a button, the company’s electric iX SUV’s paint job changes from black to white.
Thanks to products like dual-tone pearlescent paints, we’ve already noticed some kind of color alteration. However, this is fully powered by electricity, and you can use your smartphone to control the adjustments. You can select from numerous automotive components like hoods, bumpers, even rims, as well as the overall paint scheme, which can change from black to white or vice versa.
The Kindle e-reader from Amazon uses essentially the same technology. Millions of microcapsules suspended in a liquid make up a specifically made body wrap. These capsules have colors inside of them that have variously charged particles. The colors will switch depending on whether an electric charge is applied to the wrap in a positive or negative direction.
Similar to the Kindle, the on-display iX had a body wrap made of white and black pigments. Whites have a negative charge while blacks have a positive one. As a result, when a positive charge is given to the wrap’s surface, the blacks recede and the whites rise, giving the car a white paint job. If there is a negative charge, the impact is the opposite, with the black pigments rising and the white pigments descending.
The segments of the E Ink-wrapped iX were also precisely carved to fit the contours of the vehicle, enabling extremely fine-grained control of the color patterns.
The new BMW iX Flow concept car has color-changing features.
- This week, the German manufacturer showcased a brand-new concept car with color-changing “E Ink” called the iX Flow at the CES technology convention.
- Additionally, it demonstrated a brand-new 31-inch “BMW Theatre Screen” with Amazon Fire TV that is anticipated to be included in upcoming production cars.
- A specially designed body wrap that is molded to the curves of the all-electric car and resembles the material found in an Amazon Kindle E-Reader enables the fluid color changes.
Visitors examine the BMW iX Flow prototype at the BMW stand during the CES technology show on January 5, 2022, in Las Vegas. The iX Flow is a system that uses E Ink technology to replace conventional automotive paint, enabling the vehicle to alter color and appearance.
BMW doesn’t want potential customers to be concerned about the color of their next vehicle or the movies showing at the theater.
This week, the German manufacturer showcased a brand-new concept car with color-changing “E Ink” called the iX Flow at the CES technology convention. Additionally, it demonstrated a brand-new 31-inch “BMW Theatre Screen” with Amazon Fire TV that is anticipated to be included in upcoming production cars.
A specially designed body wrap that is molded to the curves of the all-electric car and resembles the material found in an Amazon Kindle E-Reader enables the fluid color changes. According to BMW, the electrophoretic technology causes the body skin to acquire the required coloring by bringing various color pigments to the surface when activated by electrical signals.
The color change is “sort of weird,” according to Stella Clarke, project lead for BMW iX Flow with E Ink, but it may also provide “some good use cases.” She claimed it allows for more self-expression, can show information like the status of a charge, and can blink if you couldn’t find it in a packed parking lot.
She remarked at a media event, “We see a lot of rational use cases behind it.
The real car is a new iX electric SUV from BMW, but the color-changing technology won’t be available in showrooms for a while. Although color-changing technology isn’t currently planned to enter production, Clarke said there may be “a road for” that in the future.
Concept cars are frequently used by automakers to test consumer interest, demonstrate potential technology, or illustrate where a vehicle or brand might go in the future.
Officials stated that although the BMW iX Flow with E Ink can only change colors on a spectrum of white, grey, and black, the technology theoretically might give more hues.
The “BMW Theatre Screen” is a 32:9-format, 31-inch panorama display with smart TV features and an 8K resolution.
According to BMW executives, “BMW Theatre Screen” production is much closer. It has a 31-inch panorama display with a 32:9 aspect ratio, smart TV features, and an 8K resolution. In order to display in the back row, the screen lowers from the vehicle’s headliner.
“We create engrossing digital experiences for pure driving enjoyment. When in Theatre Mode, the interior’s back becomes a personal movie theater, “In a statement, Frank Weber, a member of the management board of BMW AG. “A new level for in-car entertainment is developed with the 31-inch display, 5G connectivity, 8K resolution, surround sound, and individual streaming program.”