In the past two days, BMW's one-click discoloration of the body on the iX has brushed the screen in the rim.
As can be seen from the video, BMW has implemented electronic ink (E-ink) technology on the new iX body, and the BMW iX in the video has changed from black to white in an instant, and the scene is very sci-fi.
According to BMW, this feature leverages the unique technology of "e-ink". Among them, the "e-ink" contains millions of transparent microcapsules, only the thickness of a hair in diameter. 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, this not only achieves sci-fi coolness in appearance, but also has good practical attributes. According to BMW, this technology is also intrinsically conducive to reducing energy consumption, and the changeable body color is also 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 into a dark color can help absorb more heat from sunlight, reduce the energy consumption required for air conditioning heating, and effectively increase the range of electric vehicles.
Of course, this is just one of the four black technologies that BMW released at CES 2022. In addition to the "color-changing body", BMW also brought three latest achievements to display, including "floating giant screen", "four new My Modes theme mode" and "new BMW electric vehicle sound wave simulation".
With the advent of the smart car era, in-car entertainment experiences are becoming more and more important. In this regard, BMW released the "suspension giant screen" for the first time, which is intended to create a theater mode future in-car entertainment system.
Under the "Cinema Mode", BMW can turn the rear row into an exclusive private theater through the "BMW Floating Giant Screen", through the adjustment of lighting and sun blinds, 5G interconnection high-speed and smooth playback, creating an unparalleled luxury in-car entertainment experience for users.
The so-called "suspended giant screen" is to arrange a 31-inch ultra-wide panoramic display on the panoramic skylight, according to the illustration given by BMW, the screen is hung on the panoramic sunroof beam, and then can be folded and unfolded. This huge screen is 8K size, which can support video playback in multiple formats of 16:9, 21:9 and even 32:9, and with Bowers & Wilkins 4D Diamond Surround Sound System, Amazon Fire TV, etc., to provide users with an immersive entertainment experience.
In addition, at this CES show, BMW also brought four new My Modes theme modes. They are "Soothing Mode", "Joyful Mode", "Digital Art Mode", and "Cinema Mode".
In different theme modes, users can get an immersive experience covering the senses of touch, hearing, and vision through the construction of floating screens and atmosphere lights in the car. It is reported that "Relax Mode" and "Expressive Mode" will be launched in the second half of 2022, when BMW users can get a new theme mode through OTA remote upgrades.
Finally, as a representative of the driver's car in the era of fuel vehicles, BMW has brought "new BMW electric vehicle sound wave simulation" in the era of electrification.
The BMW Group, together with the internationally renowned composer Hans Zimmer, successfully created the sound of the future electric vehicle - BMW electric vehicle acoustic simulation. In different theme modes, the sound wave system simulates exclusive sound effects, each of which has a rich sense of layering and matches the visual effects presented in different "theme modes".
In addition, BMW has specially designed the Pedestrian Sound Warning Function (AVAS) to allow pedestrians to sense nearby vehicles to ensure safety. BMW said that the BMW electric vehicle sound wave simulation will be the first to be installed on the BMW i4 in the first half of 2022, and will be gradually applied to more BMW electric models in the future.