BMW’s previous concepts had wrapped the entire vehicle in a patchwork of E Ink panels that were all custom shaped and shaped to match its outline. This was an approach that was not practical for mass production, and one that was not very sustainable. The new BMW iX3 Flow Edition is potentially the most exciting of all BMW’s concepts as it embeds the E Ink prism technology directly into the structure of the vehicle’s hood panel rather than simply placing it on top. According to a release from E Ink, the new approach “has undergone BMW’s rigorous quality testing” so that it can meet “the requirements of automotive engineering and everyday use.”
The color changing capabilities of the BMW iX3 Flow Edition are limited to its hood, with eight different animations (which appear limited to a greyscale palette) that can be changed by the driver pressing a button. It’s not quite the color-changing car that BMW has been offering for years and you still can’t buy, but by focusing on making this technology more practical and functional these vehicles are one step closer to moving beyond the concept stage.
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