BMW has unveiled an updated version of its color-changing vehicle technology at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, expanding the concept of black and white to a full color palette.
The German car brand showcased the technology as part of its latest concept vehicle, the BMW i Vision Dee, on show at CES 2023.
BMW has announced the implementation of a color-changing exterior for its BMW i Vision Dee
Like its concept from last year, the iX Flow, i Vision Dee features an E Ink film exterior, similar to the material used for a book reader.
But where the iX Flow could only switch between black and white, the i Vision Dee offers up to 32 colors, and its design allows for the creation of fully custom, digitally controlled patterns on demand.
The technology expands the color palette from black and white to a full spectrum
BMW has included the colour-changing exterior as part of a range of features it says aim to create a stronger bond between people and their cars. The “Dee” in the name stands for Digital Emotional Experience.
“With the BMW i Vision Dee, we are showing what is possible when hardware and software merge,” says BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse.
“In this way we can exploit the full potential of digitization to turn the car into an intelligent companion.”
The exterior has 240 sections that allow for multicolored looks
Developed with technology company E Ink, the car’s exterior is divided into 240 segments that can be controlled individually.
The team had to adapt E Ink’s curved surface technology and develop new electronic controls and laser cutting processes to create the exterior.
The exterior of the vehicle was developed using the technology of the company E Ink
The concept for the i Vision Dee also includes other features designed to merge the digital and physical worlds and embody a vision for the future of car design.
One is called the Mixed Reality Slider – a five-position slider on the dashboard that introduces immersive digital elements into the cabin as you keep sliding your finger on it.
BMW had to develop color-changing panels that could be used on curved surfaces
At step one of the slider, the dash appears analog, with digital switches and indicators hidden until needed. In the above steps, driving-related information is displayed on the windshield display, with step four including augmented reality projections that could, for example, highlight a cyclist or pedestrian crossing on the road ahead.
If you go to the extreme end of the slider, you will enter a fully virtual world, where a digital landscape projected onto the dashboard replaces that of the physical world.
The interior features advanced augmented reality controls
“With BMW i Vision Dee, we are showing how the car can be seamlessly integrated into your digital life and become a loyal companion,” says BMW Group Head of Design Adrian van Hooydonk. “The vehicle itself becomes your portal to the digital world – the driver is always in control.”
“When used properly, technology creates rewarding experiences, makes you a better driver and simply brings people and machines closer together.”
Sony’s first-ever car will function as a “mobile entertainment space”.
The windshield display from BMW, which is called the head-up display, is also getting an update with the i Vision Dee. It now extends the full width of the windscreen and is an element of the i Vision Dee that will be used in BMW’s production vehicles. The company said it will be available in its New Class models from 2025.
To complete the personalized experience, the concept vehicle offers voice interaction that speaks to the user in a natural language. It also produces “face expressions” like winking with its digitally enhanced headlights and grille.
The car offers voice interaction interfaces
BMW first showed off the colour-changing E Ink technology with last year’s black and white iX Flow, which envisioned it being used to cater to the driver’s mood and save energy.
The brand had previously explored these ideas with the MINI Vision Next 100 concept, which allowed the car to be customized for multiple users by changing colors.
Photos courtesy of BMW.
The Consumer Electronics Show will take place from January 5th to 8th, 2023 in Las Vegas. For an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world, see the Dezeen Events Guide.