In a bid to strengthen its automobile industry and stand unique among its competitors, the German automobile giant, BMW has announced the unveiling of the world’s first color-switching vehicle – the BMW iX Flow, at the just-concluded Consumer Electronics Show 2022 in Las Vegas.
Prior to the unveiling of the new BMW iX Flow, the transitions between color patterns were only made gradually. The control electronics have now been adjusted to allow for immediate transitions, creating an even more striking visual effect.
The BMW iX Flow’s increased color-switching abilities were demonstrated up close for the first time to delegates at the BMW Group’s rad°hub dialogue platform held at Plant Munich on the 12th and 13th of May.
The rad°hub event serves as a venue for visionary thinkers and opinion leaders from all around the world to share open, multidisciplinary ideas.
In a one-off partnership with the BMW Group at rad°hub aimed at boosting mental health awareness, Munich-based firm brain boost utilized the new and improved color-changing effect.
The BMW iX Flow was connected directly to the brains of the rad°hub delegates using an electroencephalograph (EEG), which captures the electrical activity of the brain, thanks to a brain boost.
Delegates were able to hold this state for several seconds, they were treated to a special animation. Under the supervision of brain boost experts and with the help of neurofeedback via the iX Flow, the participants were able to gradually calm and relax their brains.
This improves one’s understanding of which tactics work best to particularly shut down one’s own brain activity for relaxation, such as in the workplace.
The BMW iX Flow’s body is covered in a unique coating that contains millions of color capsules. Negatively charged white pigments or positively charged black pigments will gather at the surface when triggered by electrical signals, changing the external color.
The BMW iX Flow with E Ink gives up a whole new way of personalizing the driving experience by allowing you to change the body color and display different patterns.
Speaking on the color switching abilities, the brainboost CEO Philipp Heiler, explains that:
“The colour patterns of the BMW iX Flow react to brain activity and reflect the level of activity.”
“Once the brain is at rest, the changes of patterns on the iX Flow also become calmer and more rhythmical.” he added.
On the other hand, the project leader of the new BMW iX Flow, Stella Clarke said in a report that the company has already introduced further improvements to the technology since its premiere at the CES.
