According to The Verge, BMW recently debuted its newest technological advancement at the Las Vegas 2022 Consumer Electronics Show. Everyone scurried for a better view as the German automaker utilized the new 2022 iX M60 electric SUV to display its unique color-changing technology.
Don’t get too excited, though; it’s just personalisation taken to a whole new level. BMW isn’t prepared to release a vehicle that can change color with the push of a button from red to blue to orange. Right now, just white, black, and gray are available. The good news is that you don’t have to stick with a single color, and according to BMW, this new paint even allows you to make moving patterns. There may not be as many options as they would want, but there are still many options available.
It’s still a really cool idea, though. The driver simply needs to click a button to alter the hue. But how did BMW manage to do it?
In This Article...
Advertised Links
Since its introduction in 1997, E-Ink technology has demonstrated its value in a variety of contexts, including laptop screens, digital whiteboards, and even personal accessories. At CES 2022, BMW showcased an e-ink vehicle exterior that can change colors based on the weather and traffic conditions, or just the driver’s attitude. This technology has finally reached the automobile sector.
In response to your initial query, no, despite being displayed at the exhibition on a live demonstration vehicle known as the BMW iX Flow with E Ink, this future technology is not yet ready for mass production.
The electrophoretic coloring substance is used as a vehicle body wrap and functions similarly to how e-ink displays do in Kindles. Millions of microcapsules, each holding a negatively charged white pigment and a positively charged black pigment, are inserted throughout the wrap. Applying an electrical charge to the substance will, depending on the environment, induce either the white or the black pigments to rise to the top of the microcapsule, changing the color of the vehicle in a matter of seconds.
The palette could potentially be enlarged to show the whole spectrum of colors, even if the current version can only switch between a pair of hues. In a prepared statement, Stella Clarke, Head of Project for the BMW iX Flow incorporating E Ink, said, “This provides the driver the freedom to communicate different elements of their personality or even their appreciation of change outwardly, and to redefine this each time they sit into their car.” The vehicle then turns into an expression of many moods and situations in daily life, similar to fashion or the status updates on social media channels.
E-ink external displays may also be beneficial for more practical purposes, including changing colors in response to the temperature to extend a car’s battery life (and hence its range) in cold climates or lessen the need for air conditioning in hot climates.
Use an app to change the color of your car: BMW introduces a color-changing vehicle.
The outside of the concept automobile, known as the BMW iX Flow, can be changed into a variety of gray and white designs using electronic ink technology typically used in e-readers.
Stella Clarke, a BMW research engineer, noted that the use of E Ink technology made the color shift extremely energy-efficient. We took this substance, which is somewhat thick paper, and our task was to apply it to a 3D item like one of our cars.
The substance attracts various pigments to the surface when stimulated by electrical signals controlled by a phone app, giving the car a new color or pattern, like racing stripes.
In the future, Clarke predicted, the adjustments might potentially be managed by a button on the dashboard or even by hand gestures.
According to BMW, no energy is required to retain the driver’s chosen color.
The use of color to affect sunlight reflections is my favorite use case, according to Clarke. “You may change the color to white today to reflect the sun’s rays on a hot, sunny day. You may paint it black to absorb heat on a chilly day.”
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.
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.”
BMW Unveils a Vehicle with Digital Color Changes
BMW, a German automaker, has unveiled a new model that lets users customize the color of their car.
The BMW iX Flow concept automobile was recently displayed at the CES technology expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. A concept car is a vehicle that has been built for testing but is still in development.
The company claims that electronic ink technology allows for the outside colors and patterns of the car to be changed. Electronic reading devices use the same technology, which BMW refers to as Electronic Paper Display.
The iX Flow model was demonstrated at CES and could switch from white to gray. Every panel of the car has a changeable surface. This opens up a variety of options for various color and pattern combinations all over the car. One option in the demonstration produced racing stripes.
According to BMW, the substance that makes the technology possible contains variously charged white, black, or colored particles. When an electrical field is active, many colors emerge. Controls inside the car or a phone can send signals to initiate the adjustments.
According to BMW research engineer Stella Clarke, “we took this material—kind it’s of a thick paper—and our difficulty was to get this onto a 3D object like our automobiles.”
The use of color to affect sunlight reflections is my favorite use case, according to Clarke. You may change the hue to white to reflect sunlight on a hot, sunny day like today, she said. “You could change it to black to absorb the heat on a cold day.”
The color options for the vehicle displayed at CES were limited to gray and white. However, the company claims that the technology will be enhanced to offer a variety of colors.
We want your feedback. Visit our Facebook page and leave us a comment there.
BMW introduces the color-changing iX Flow SUV with E Ink technology at CES.
A concept car from BMW called the iX Flow using E Ink would let owners alter the external color of their vehicle by simply pressing a button.
Are you sick of your car’s color? You can alter it with the push of a button thanks to a recent BMW invention.
The iX Flow with E Ink, a concept that would let customers change the outside color of their car by pushing a button, was unveiled by the luxury automaker at CES.
According to BMW, the SUV showcasing the iX Flow technology at CES has a specifically built body wrap whose color can be changed by electrical signals.
“Future digital experiences won’t be restricted to displays. Real and virtual worlds will progressively converge, “In a statement, Frank Weber, a member of the management board of BMW AG, said. We are bringing the automobile body to life with the BMW iX Flow.
Videos of the BMW’s color-changing display from CES were recorded and shared on social media.
During a video presentation of the technology, Stella Clarke, project lead for BMW iX Flow incorporating E Ink, stated that it will provide drivers the chance to more thoroughly customize their car to their preferences.
“The clothing you wear are your choice. Your social media status is up to you. Additionally, you can select the color of your car “She spoke.
The iX Flow can do more than just make your car look good. According to Clarke, a car’s exterior may flash multiple colors if you’re attempting to find it, say, in a congested parking lot.
BMW is one of many automakers showing off technology at CES. A new electrified version of Chevrolet’s well-known Silverado pickup truck was released.