Color-changing cars: The technological mysteries behind the promise for the car industry!

Color-changing car technology is a promising emerging field of research, offering the potential to completely change the face of the car industry.

How do color-changing cars work?

The first color-changing car to be introduced to the public is BMW's iX Flow , which was first introduced at CES 2022 in Las Vegas.

Billed as "the world's first color-changing car" , this model allows users to switch the vehicle's exterior color between black, white or a combination of shades with just the press of a button. Accordingly, drivers can choose white on hot days to reflect solar energy and black on cold days to absorb energy.

It operates using Electronic Paper Display technology - Electronic Paper Display (EPD) . The car is covered with an electrophoretic membrane containing millions of microscopic capsules, no wider than a human hair. Each capsule contains negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments that become visible only when the appropriate electric field is passed through it.

Consists of millions of microcapsules containing two different colored inks. When voltage is applied, these capsules will move, displaying corresponding colors. Electronic ink is coated on the body of the iX Flow car, forming a thin layer and accordingly, users can change the color through the phone application or buttons on the car.

BMW and Vision DEE

At CES 2023, BMW introduced a new color-changing car model – BMW i Vision Dee – that can create all the colors of the rainbow, not just monochromatic colors. The car uses the same technology as iX Flow but is capable of displaying up to 32 different colors.

The body of the i Vision Dee consists of 240 different parts that change color independently, allowing the car to display multicolored patterns. All commands can be guided via voice control and will be sent within seconds.

The "Dee" in the name stands for Digital Emotional Experience, which BMW says emphasizes its hope to "strengthen the emotional connection between cars and people".

"With the BMW i Vision Dee, we are showcasing what is possible when hardware and software are combined. In this way, we can exploit the full potential of digitalization to turn cars into people." intelligent companion. That is the future for car manufacturers – and also for BMW: the combination of virtual experiences with authentic driving pleasure", Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG , said in a statement.

The exterior of the car is covered with a layer of E Ink film, consisting of millions of small microcapsules containing different colored particles, which can change color when electricity is applied. The vehicle's surface is divided into 240 sections, each of which can be controlled separately. This allows for a range of different patterns and colors, which can be changed in seconds. The BMW i Vision Dee can display up to 32 different colors. This technology expands the color range from black and white to the entire color palette. The color change is part of a series of features that BMW says will create a stronger bond between people and their cars.

Law to change car color

Laws and regulations can be an obstacle for color-changing cars to hit the market. Currently, there are no laws regarding vehicles that can instantly change color when using electricity.

However, according to current regulations in the US, car owners must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and insurance providers if they change the main color of the vehicle. Similarly in the UK, drivers must notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and their insurer.

It's unclear how this framework would apply to cars that can instantly change color with a simple voice command.

Electronic Paper Display (EPD), also known as electronic paper display, is a type of reflective display that uses electronic microcapsule technology to display images and text. The EPD screen simulates paper, providing a natural, eye-pleasing reading and information viewing experience.

Outstanding features of EPD screens

• Reflective display : EPD screens do not emit light but use environmental light to display images, helping to minimize eye strain and are suitable for reading books and viewing documents for long periods of time.
• Energy saving : EPD screens only consume electricity when changing images, helping to save battery life for the device.
• Wide viewing angle: The EPD screen is clearly visible from many different angles, even in direct sunlight.
• High contrast: EPD display displays deep blacks and bright whites, delivering sharp and clear images.
• Durable: EPD screens are resistant to impact, scratches and water, helping to increase service life.

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