BMW, known for its luxurious and high-performance vehicles, has unveiled a groundbreaking creation at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, a collaboration with E Ink and South African artist Esther Mahlangu, is turning heads for its ability to change colors on command.
This innovative vehicle builds on BMW’s earlier introduction of color-changing E Ink technology with the iX Flow concept SUV at CES 2022. The i5 Flow NOSTOKANA features sections of E Ink film, similar to that found in e-readers, which contain millions of microcapsules filled with color pigments that can be rearranged using an electric voltage.
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This allows the car to display Mahlangu’s signature geometric patterns and colors in ever-changing sequences, creating a visually striking display.
While the technology is impressive, questions remain about its practicality and appeal to consumers. The cost of implementing this technology may be a concern for some buyers, as well as potential safety issues related to distracting other drivers.
However, the potential applications of this technology are vast, with possibilities ranging from greater visibility for emergency vehicles to subtle safety messages like turn signals or hazard warnings.
See also: BMW Introduces All-Electric i5 Touring: Offering Varied Range Options from 483 to 560 Kilometers
The rapid development of color-changing technology is evident in BMW’s progression from the two-color iX Flow to the i5 Flow’s 1,349 pieces of E Ink film capable of displaying a wide range of colors. While a fully color-changing car may not be practical yet, the underlying technology holds promise for future applications in automotive design and safety.
Inspired by passion, tradition and innovation.
For Stella Clarke, the concrete idea of colour change in a car was inspired by a fascination for the technology of colour change. Hear her inspiration behind the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA: https://t.co/4nyd6WLbBj
#BMWGroup #THEi5 pic.twitter.com/T4QHacHbNK— BMW Group (@BMWGroup) March 1, 2024
