With BMW iX, the ultimate driving machine meets the ultimate digital experience. At CES 2022, BMW showcased a concept for the BMW iX with E Ink electrophoretic technology, which is an approach to bring the exterior of the car to life. This will allow the BMW customers to change the color of their car with a push of a button. In addition, the BMW iX has the same performance as the BMW X5 M, but with zero emissions as it is a fully electric car.
How does color-change work?
The E Ink technology used in BMW iX features a specially developed body wrap that fluidity changes colour when stimulated by electrical signals. The electrophoretic E Ink technology, most well-known from the displays used in eReaders, brings different colour pigments to the surface, causing the body skin to take on the desired colouration.
The E Ink is made up of million of paint microcapsules with white and black pigments that allow the car to change the exterior color quickly. The microcapsules have a diameter equivalent to the thickness of a human hair, which contains positively charged black pigments and negatively charged white pigments. The pigments are simulated by a current (electric field), which causes the white or black pigments to gather at the surface of the microcapsule. The E Ink electrophoretic technology only requires current during the color changing phase, it needs absolutely no energy to keep the chosen colour state constant. Unlike displays or projectors, E Ink technology is extremely energy efficient.
It took BMW almost 7 months to cover the car with this E Ink technology by applying numerous precisely fitted ePaper segments. In order to minimize the variation in light and shadow, the ePaper segments reflect the contours and design lines of the vehicle. For optimal and uniform color reproduction, the exterior of the car is warmed and sealed with lacquer (for waterproofing) after ePaper segments are applied and power supply is connected.
Benefits of BMW iX Flow Color-change technology
The BMW Flow technology brings three main benefits. Firstly, it allows personalization, like using your clothing and you can play with the patterns in creating the look for your car. This technology solves the long standing problem of being locked into one color. With BMW IX, you can personalize your car to your liking and choose a different color anytime you feel like changing it. If you share your car with family members, this will allow each driver to select their preferred exterior color.
Similar to fashion or the status ads on social media channels, the vehicle then becomes an expression of different moods and circumstances in daily life
Stella Clarke, Head of Project for the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink
Secondly, you can use the Flow technology for information. For example, color can be used to display battery indicator on the car. In case of car sharing, you can use color to identify if the car is clean and available. If you have lost your car in a parking lot, you can make it flash to easily detect your car.
Lastly, the BMW flow technology is not only cool but it also increases the efficiency and safety of the car as well. You can change the thermal properties of the car by changing the color of the car. This means that you can have a white car during summer to reflect heat and you can change the color to black to absorb heat during winter time. The selective color changes can help to cut the amount of cooling and heating required from the vehicle’s air conditioning. This might also be practical as it can help avoid accidents by increasing visibility in traffic.
Limitations of BMW iX Color-change technology
It is important to note that BMW iX Flow debuts only in black and white, but E Ink could be ordered in any two colors preferred by a customer. There are no limits to the color combinations. However, you will not be able to customize the car with any random color, it will have to be one of the two colours you have selected. However, E Ink already has paper technology with four-colors rather than the two BMW is working with, so it might be possible to add more colours to the mix.
BMW has tested the E Ink panels at temperatures as low as 32 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 158 degrees Fahrenheit. E Ink has a lacquer coating on the top so water is not a concern but BMW has yet to find the limit of temperature and humidity.
A lot of stuff has to be done before it goes on to a production car…To be honest, we don’t know what we don’t know.
Stella Clarke, Head of Project for the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink
When we think about BMW’s most important cars, we often think about cars built by their high performance M division. While they do make brilliant vehicles, the world is going green. With that in mind, the BMW iX perfectly addresses the need for a different type of flagship, something that stands out, something that is electric. The BMW iX is a technological flagship, a true innovation in the car industry as no other manufacturer has showcased any feature that allows the customer to change the color of their car.
Source: BMW
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