One of the questions we always get asked when we’re looking for a new car is “what color do you want?”
It’s an easy question for some people, who really don’t have any opinion on the matter, but for others who wonder whether or not they’ll change their mind down the road, it can be harder.
BMW’s new concept car, though, solves that by allowing you to change the color with the touch of a button.
Image Credit: YouTube
The cars are the iX Flow featuring E Ink and the i Vision Dee, and they’re unlike any other car or concept we’ve seen thus far.
They use color-changing technology that’s a combination of a wrap and an advanced version of an e-reader screen like a Kindle or Nook.
The wrap is thin and cut with lasers to fit each panel like a glove, according to BMW.
“The wrap contains many millions of microcapsules, with a diameter equivalent to the thickness of a single human hair.”
When you apply electricity to switch the charges in the pigment (negatively charged white and positively charged black), the pigments swap and so does the color.
They introduced the first version of the iX Flow at the Consumer Electronics Show last year and changed from black to white.
The newer i Vision Dee is capable of changing to 32 different colors and the individual panels can be controlled individually, which would let people choose their own patterns, as well.
These changes take place in mere seconds, so no need to plan ahead.
What’s more is that BMW calls the technology “extremely energy efficient,” because it only uses power while the change is actually happening. Not only that, but they claim the E Ink technology can actually make the car more energy-efficient because you could adjust the color to repel or soak up heat, depending on the season.
This could save you money, too, since you won’t have to run the heater or air conditioner quite as much.
Don’t get too excited, though – BMW says the color-changing feature is right now considered an in-house project, though they have hinted that they’re working toward one day making it available to the public.
You might have to wait, but in the meantime, let’s just admire the creativity and skill that went into making this possible in the first place.
Would you grab one of these if you could? Tell us why or why not in the comments!
