The BMW iX3 Flow Edition, presented at the Beijing Auto Show, brings a novelty that seems straight out of a spy movie: a hood that changes color. Developed together with E Ink, this interactive panel is controlled from the interior and is designed to withstand daily use, approaching the production standards of the Bavarian brand. The technology uses millions of microcapsules that alter their color with electrical signals, without consuming energy in a static state.
Microcapsules and electricity: how electronic ink works 🎨
The system is based on the same E Ink technology used in e-book readers, but applied to a car hood. Each microcapsule contains white and black particles with opposite charges; when a voltage is applied, some rise to the surface and others sink, generating the desired color. The panel does not consume energy when maintaining a fixed tone, only using it when changing. BMW states it has been tested to withstand extreme temperatures, UV rays, and vibrations, bringing it closer to a production component.
Goodbye to car washes: the self-cleaning (or almost) hood 🧼
This feature is ideal for those who hate deciding on a car color or for chronic indecisives who want a different shade every morning. The downside is that, for now, only the hood changes, so if you dream of a full chameleon car, you'll have to wait. And no, it's not useful for camouflaging yourself from traffic police, although surely more than one person will try. At least, if you get tired of the color, there's no need to go to the workshop: a touch on the screen and you're done.