While the concept may seem simple, E Ink panels are not designed to be three-dimensional. The technology, used primarily for e-readers, is typically flat and stiff. To affix panels to the iX, BMW had to break the vehicle down into shapes that were small and simple enough to bend an E Ink panel into. The team then cut sheets of paper to size to test the fit and adjust the design before applying the E Ink panels.
The panels were then coded to make their colors change, and finally covered with a protective layer to ensure they could withstand being touched. The E Ink iX is a pure concept car, but BMW says the technology could be useful in production vehicles, allowing owners to customize their vehicles constantly and adjust aesthetics on a whim. Additionally, it could be helpful in situations when a driver has lost their vehicle in a parking lot or when the state of charge information needs to be conveyed quickly. Finally, by going from white to black, BMW could adjust how hot a vehicle gets, helping to reduce the load on the air conditioning system.
The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink was first revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022 in Las Vegas. In November 2022, TIME magazine named the BMW iX Flow one of the best inventions of 2022.
Source: BMW
