BMW unveiled a new electric concept car called the iX Flow, which uses "E ink" technology and changes color at the push of a button. In the video, the bodywork can even show a flowing gradient.
The color change of the body flow is achieved through a special "body wrap". The material is similar to that used on Amazon's Kindle e-reader, while the material on the iX Flow is specifically tailored to the contours of an all-electric car.
The concept car is also equipped with an on-board 31-inch "BMW cinema screen" with Amazon's "Fire TV" service, which may be put into production in the future.
BMW doesn't want future customers to have to "choose fear", wrestling with what color to buy in the next car, or caring specifically about what movies are playing in the theater.
Automakers often use concept cars to test users' interests or to demonstrate possible future technology applications.
The head of BMW's iX Flow's adaptation to e-ink technology said the color-changing capability was "a little crazy" but also offered "some meaningful uses." Stella Clarke, the head of the department, said that color change allows customers to better show their personality, can convey information, such as charging conditions, and if you can't find a car in the parking lot, you can also change color and flash.
The use of e-ink technology is currently relatively limited, only showing white, gray and black, but BMW said that the technology can theoretically provide other colors.
"We can see a lot of potential uses behind the ability to change color," she says. But she also explained that the color-changing technology will not be put into production at present, and the possibility of mass production will not be ruled out in the future.
Wuhan Morning Post intern reporter Yuan Jiabei