E-Ink technology has been used in a wide range of devices, from digital whiteboards to laptop displays to a variety of accessories since 1997. However, this technology has plagued the unexpected automotive industry at this year's CES. BMW has introduced the vehicle's E-Ink exterior, which can change colour depending on current weather, traffic conditions or driver preferences.
The outer body of the vehicle is covered with a layer of electrophoretic material that can change colour, however, the body works the same as the E-ink display of a Kindle reader, for example. The surface of the car has millions of microcapsules, each of which contains a negatively charged white pigment and a positively charged black pigment. Thus, the colour changes due to a change in electric charge, which causes black or white pigments to appear on the surface of the microcapsule, thereby changing its colour.
It is now only possible to change the colour in black and white, but BMW has stated that the colour palette can be extended to other shades. Of course, it is also possible to create various patterns. Project leader Stella Clarke said that, like fashion or status, the vehicle expresses different moods and circumstances of everyday life on social media.
In addition to the social area, changing the colour of a car can also bring much more practical use, for example, when the weather changes. In fog, the colours could turn more pronounced and more visible to other road users. It would also be possible to save air conditioning on hot days simply by changing the colour to a lighter or completely white shade.
E-Ink was one of several new technologies that BMW developed to immerse users in personalized digital environments in and out of vehicles. Would you like to start such an experience?