Here’s one dilemma new car buyers are usually faced with – what color to choose? If you’re one of those consumers who can’t seem to make up your mind on which car color to select, then you’ll like the BMW car that changes color.
This January, the German carmaker recently launched the BMW color-changing car at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Named BMW iX Flow, this car uses an electronic ink (E ink) tech to change the shade of the car body.
BMW research engineer Stella Clarke says the tech is actually energy efficient. If you’re familiar with the E ink typically used in e-readers, that’s the same tech this car uses. In fact, the vehicle uses a material akin to a thicker version of the e-reader but with a 3D model shape.
According to BMW Group Christoph Grote, the project aims to allow users to express themselves through car tech. During a roundtable interview during the Las Vegas event, he said that the car “dresses” and “expresses” the user, “not just from the inside but from the outside.”
Changing cars at a touch of a button
So, how exactly does it work? Using a phone app, the user can stimulate electric signals that will bring pigments to the car’s surface. As a result, the pigments can make the car darker in shade or project designs. For instance, racing stripes are one of the possible patterns you can turn on with the BMW color-changing car.
But the changes in color aren’t all about aesthetics. In fact, there are practical perks that users can get from the changing tones.
For instance, Clarke says the BMW car that changes color allows the user to alter the tone depending on the weather. On a sunny day, the user can change the car color to a light tone to reflect sunlight. On the other hand, the user can switch to a darker color on a cold day so that the car absorbs the heat.
At the moment, the car can only switch between gray and white. However, BMW is working to improve the tech and hopefully offer a wider range of colors further down the road. In addition to that, the carmaker is also looking to include features, such as a dashboard color-changing button. Switching colors through hand gestures is also in the works.
The E ink used for BMW cars that change color is just one of the firm’s newest tech products. These products aim to offer a custom driving experience for users. For instance, they have a feature called My Modes, which offers digital outwork displays within the cabin. It also has a theater mode that takes the car entertainment system to the next level. BMW will launch My Modes by mid-2022.
Issues with the BMW Car that changes color
Without a doubt, the BMW car that changes color gives users full control of their driving experience. But will this new product cause societal or practical issues once it’s on the road?
For instance, one netizen pointed out that if the car figures in a hit-and-run accident, the driver can escape. If the driver switches colors, the police might need to chase a gray car from one CCTV and a black car on the next. This confusion could allow the perpetrator to avoid any responsibility.
Another possible issue with the BMW car that changes color is durability. Since it’s a fairly new product, users can only guess how sturdy the paint is. Whether it can power through extreme weather is also a matter of debate.
Nevertheless, it’s an exciting tech, and as for the issues, the drivers can cross the bridge when they get there.
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