BMW at CES: iX Flow changes colour at the press of a button

BMW’s presence at this year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show) went well beyond unveiling its most powerful iX yet, the new M60. The German manufacturer also showcased a range of fresh technologies, but the standout was a system that lets you change the car’s colour at the press of a button.

To prove the point, BMW brought along the iX Flow, where we can watch the model switch from white to black and back again, quickly and dynamically, using different patterns - almost as if it were an animation… or as though it had camouflage abilities or could display “choco” patterns.

For now, it remains largely a technology experiment - with no certainty it will make it into series production - yet BMW highlights the opportunities this solution creates, both for vehicle personalisation and for added functionality.

How does it work?

The “secret” behind this tone-changing capability is the use of electrophoresis technology developed by E Ink - similar to what you find in eReaders such as Amazon’s Kindle. The iX Flow has a special layer applied over the bodywork; when it is triggered by electrical signals - the only stage that consumes energy - it reveals different pigments.

That coating, made up of many ePaper (electronic paper) segments, contains millions of micro-capsules with a diameter comparable to the thickness of a human hair. Inside are negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments. When you choose an option, the electrical stimulation brings one pigment or the other to the surface.

One of the challenges was ensuring these ePaper segments could be cut precisely and applied in a way that accurately followed the vehicle’s contours, as well as the changes of light and shadow across the body. Once fitted and electrically connected, the bodywork is then heated and sealed to guarantee an optimal, consistent colour display every time it switches.

We’ve already touched on the level of personalisation this technology could offer, but the practical functions it might enable are also worth noting.

It could make it easier to locate the vehicle in a car park by rapidly alternating between the two tones, for example, and it could also contribute to the car’s efficiency. How? By choosing the right colour for the weather conditions: white for hot days and black for cold ones.

By making the most of each shade’s heat-reflecting characteristics - in warm weather, white or very light-coloured cars tend to have a lower cabin temperature than black or very dark-coloured cars - you can use the air conditioning less, or at a lower intensity, saving energy. In the case of electric vehicles such as this iX Flow, that can help deliver greater range.

The other new announcements

Alongside the iX Flow, BMW also used CES to reveal other developments, including the BMW Theatre Screen, which aims to turn the second row into a cinema. It is activated by selecting “My Mode Theatre” in the infotainment system.

The set-up includes a 31-inch ultra-wide display that lowers from the roof, a surround-sound audio system, and 5G connectivity. It also manages the rear window blinds and adjusts the cabin lighting to create a more immersive experience. Rear passengers can control the screen - tilt, format, and so on - as well as the volume, via touch surfaces integrated into the rear doors.

BMW has confirmed this solution will reach production, but it has not said when, although some rumours suggest the next generation of the 7 Series - due to launch this year - could debut it.

BMW’s electric models will also begin to emit bespoke sounds created by the award-winning composer Hans Zimmer (responsible for some of the best-known film soundtracks). The i4 will be the first to receive them, in the coming months, and in the second half of 2022 the iX will also gain access.

The BMW iX M60, unveiled at the event, is also the brand’s first model to incorporate digital art inside the cabin, something that will be extended to more models in the future. The curved screen that dominates the electric SUV’s interior will now display a piece created by the Chinese multimedia artist Cao Fei, titled “Quantum Garden”.