Digital strategy yields new results BMW unveils its discolored car at 2022CES

Reporting by Chen Yannan and Tong Haihua in Beijing

High-tech is gradually becoming the core competitiveness of car companies, and BMW is also making rapid progress in the field of digitalization.

Recently, at the 2022 North American Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas, a number of traditional car companies brought their latest scientific and technological achievements. "China Business Daily" reporter learned from the BMW Group that the BMW Group also unveiled a number of innovative digital achievements, including 4 new theme modes (My Modes), BMW Floating Screen (BMW Theatre Screen), BMW Electric Vehicle Acoustic Simulation (BMW IconicSounds Electric), "E-ink" technology (E-ink).

At the exhibition, BMW's "electronic ink" technology attracted attention. Using the unique technology of "e-ink", the one-touch color change function of the body can be successfully realized on the innovative BMW iX. "E-ink" contains millions of transparent microcapsules, just the thickness of a single hair. Each microcapsule contains a negatively charged white pigment, as well as a positively charged black pigment. By controlling the electrodes on both sides of the microcapsule, the desired color appears on the body surface. BMW manufactures different sizes of "electronic ink" according to the pattern and the curvature of the car surface, which is then fixed to the car, and finally achieves a key change of color through the change of electrodes.

At the same time, "electronic ink" not only changes the color of the car body, but also helps to reduce energy consumption, providing a new direction for exploration and thinking for sustainable development. It is worth mentioning that the changeable body color is conducive to improving the comfort of the car and reducing the energy required for the electrical system. For example, the white surface can reflect more sunlight than black, if the body color is changed to a light color, the impact of strong external sunlight and high temperature on the interior of the vehicle can be reduced accordingly, and the interior such as the center console and dashboard can be prevented from overheating. In the case of lower temperatures, turning the body dark can help absorb more heat from sunlight, reduce the energy consumption required for air conditioning heating, and effectively increase the electric range.

During celes 2022, BMW also released four new themed models, namely "Relax Mode", "Expressive Mode", "Digital Art Mode" and "Theater Mode". It is understood that the "soothing mode" and "joyful mode" will be launched in the second half of 2022, when users can get a new theme mode through the remote upgrade of OTA.

The reporter noted that in recent years, BMW is further developing electric vehicles. BMW believes that sound is always an important part of the driving experience, and the arrival of electric mobility has promoted the transformation of vehicle sound effects. At present, BMW is going all out to create an emotional electric vehicle wave for electric vehicles. This time, bmw group and grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner - internationally renowned composer Hans Zimmer, successfully created the sound of the future electric - BMW IconicSounds Electric, while developing a breakthrough sound effect for BMW electric vehicles, but also for the driver and the vehicle to create an inseparable emotional bond.

Outside, BMW has designed a Pedestrian Acoustic Warning Function (AVAS) to ensure safety by allowing pedestrians to perceive nearby vehicles. Inside the car, BMW designed exclusive sound effects for each "theme mode", each sound effect has a rich sense of layering, and all match the visual effects presented under different "theme modes". For example, select "Soothing Mode", the sound effect is intended to relax the driver, the vehicle will become a comfortable mobile oasis, the driver will be surrounded by a warm and relaxing sound, experience a calm and leisurely journey; "Joyful Mode", the sound effect is more focused on the emotional expression of the driver and occupants. To this end, BMW and Hans Zimmer reinterpreted the sounds of traditional instruments such as the violin and the French horn to create a more magnificent, free and more emotional expression of the driver and occupant in a more futuristic way. BMW electric vehicle sound wave simulation will be the first to be installed on the innovative BMW i4 in the first half of 2022, and will be gradually applied to more BMW electric models in the future.

In addition, BMW released the "cinema mode" future in-car entertainment system for the first time. Under the "Cinema Mode", BMW uses the "BMW Theatre Screen" to create a rear space into an exclusive private theater. "We offer our users an immersive, digital driving pleasure." Wei Bofan, director of research and development at the BMW Group, said, "Under the 'cinema mode', the rear space of the vehicle will become a private cinema. With a 31-inch ultra-wide 8K resolution display, 5G connectivity, surround sound, and customized streaming programs, BMW creates an unprecedented experience that sets a new benchmark for in-car entertainment. ”

BMW said that in the future, it will also cooperate with local Suppliers in China to provide an in-car entertainment experience that meets the preferences of Chinese users. Gao Le, President and CEO of the BMW Group Greater China, said: "China has become a global leader in innovation and a key driver of digitalization. China's movements will lead the world, and with the 'China First' principle, BMW will accelerate the digitalization process." ”

(Editor: Zhang Shuo Proofreader: Yan Jingning)