BMW Group took a step forward by unveiling the BMW iX Flow model that debuted with a magical exterior color. The car exterior changes color, with this SUV, you are not stuck with one exterior color, you can switch colors at the tap of a button. This technology is known as E Ink.
The fluid color changes are made possible by a specially developed body wrap that is tailored precisely to the contours of the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW. When stimulated by electric signals, the electrophoretic technology brings different color pigments to the surface. This causes the body’s skin to take on the desired coloration.
How can variable exterior color increase efficiency?
Do you know that a variable exterior color can also contribute to wellness in the interior and to the efficiency of the vehicle? A variable exterior color can take into account different abilities of light and dark colors when it comes to reflecting sunlight and the associated absorption of thermal energy. Recall that a white surface reflects a lot more sunlight than a black one and thus will always reduce the temperature of the vehicle and passenger compartment when the exterior color is changed to white. In cooler climates such as Europe, changing the exterior color to dark will help the vehicle absorb warmth from the sun.
This will also go a long way in reducing stress for the cooling and heating required from the air conditioning system. This will also save some more fuel consumption for cars with combustion engines and energy for electric cars.
Does the E Ink need the energy to work?
No, the E Ink needs no energy to keep the chosen color state constant. The technology is energy efficient. Current only flows during the short color-changing phase.
How is E Ink produced?
Electrophoretic coloring is based on a technology developed by E Ink that is most well-known from the displays used in eReaders. The exterior of the latest BMW Ix Flow featuring E Ink contains many millions of microcapsules that contains negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments.
To achieve this effect on a vehicle body, many precisely fitted ePaper segments must be available on the car body. Generative design processes are implemented to ensure the segments reflect the characteristic contours of the vehicle and the resulting variations in light and shadow. The generative design algorithms enable the necessary formability and flexibility required to tailor the ePaper exactly to the design lines of the vehicle.
Laser cutting technologies guarantee high precision in generating each segment. After the segments are applied and the power supply for stimulating the electrical field is connected, the entire body is warmed and sealed to guarantee optimum and uniform color reproduction during every color change.
 Do you like this new technology? Will you buy a car that comes with the new E Ink?
