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Recent advancements have brought color-changing cars from the realm of imagination to the realm of possibility, potentially making them a common sight on roads in the near future. May I inquire about the developers of this impressive technology? Could you please explain the functioning of this? What challenges must be addressed?
What is the mechanism behind the color-changing feature in cars?
The BMW iX Flow, unveiled at CES 2022 in Las Vegas, marked the public’s first glimpse of a color-changing car.
The car was marketed as the first of its kind, capable of changing its exterior color with a simple button press. Users could choose between black, white, or a combination of shades. Drivers had the option to choose white on hot days to reflect the sun’s energy and black on cold days to absorb it.
The functionality is achieved through the utilization of Electronic Paper Display (EPD) technology. The car is covered in an electrophoretic film containing countless microcapsules, each smaller than the width of a human hair. The capsules contain white and black pigments that become visible when an electrical field is applied.
The BMW i Vision DEE
During CES 2023, BMW unveiled the BMW i Vision Dee, a new car model capable of dynamically changing colors to encompass the entire spectrum of the rainbow, surpassing the limitations of monochrome shades. The vehicle utilizes a technology similar to the iX Flow, with the added capability of generating a wide range of 32 distinct colors.
The body of the i Vision Dee consists of 240 sections that can change color individually, enabling the car to showcase a variety of multi-colored patterns. All commands can be executed via voice control and will be delivered promptly.
The inclusion of “Dee” in the name signifies the concept of Digital Emotional Experience, which BMW aims to emphasize in order to strengthen the emotional bond between cars and individuals.
Through the BMW i Vision Dee, we are demonstrating the potential that arises from the integration of hardware and software. By leveraging digitalization, we can fully harness its capabilities to turn the car into a smart companion. “The integration of the virtual experience with authentic driving pleasure is the future for automotive manufacturers, including BMW,” stated Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.
Laws regarding cars that change color
Potential obstacles may arise in the form of laws and regulations when it comes to the introduction of color-changing cars into the market. Currently, there are no existing regulations pertaining to electrically-powered vehicles that have the ability to instantly alter their color.
According to existing regulations in the US, car owners must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and their insurance provider if they alter the primary color of their vehicle. In the UK, drivers are required to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) as well as their insurer.
The application of this framework to cars that can change color instantly with a voice command is still uncertain.
