Photo: BMW
Early in 2022, BMW announced the design of a new electric SUV that has the ability to change its colour. They call it the “BMW iX Flow” and it employs a technology known as “electrophoresis” which moves molecules around using electric currents. Different pre-programmed patterns enable ink to disperse throughout the vehicle’s exterior surfaces.
Car & Driver Magazine explains the process as follows: “The E Ink wrap consists of millions of microcapsules containing negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments. This microcapsules—which have a diameter equal to the thickness of a human hair—can be stimulated by an electrical field to bring different amounts of each pigment to the surface of the microcapsule, changing the shade of the car.”
Currently, the BMW iX Flow is only available in a monochromatic back/white/grey palette, but a range of more colourful options are under development.