Australian engineer Stella Clarke creates colour-changing BMW

BMW has unveiled a car that can change colour at the touch of a button.

The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink uses electrophoretic technology to change the car from white to black – in a similar way to liquid crystal displays (LCDs) or electronic paper.

Australian engineer Stella Clarke, head of project for the shade-flipping BMW, says the technology could be applied to vehicles in the future, allowing drivers to change their car to match their mood.

7

"This gives the driver the freedom to express different facets of their personality or even their enjoyment of change outwardly, and to redefine this each time they sit in their car,” Clarke said at the unveiling.

"Similar to fashion or the status ads on social media channels, the vehicle then becomes an expression of different moods and circumstances in daily life."

But the technology could also be used to help deflect the sun’s rays in summer, reducing cabin temperatures when the car is white, or helping to heat the vehicle in winter by changing to black.

7

BMW says E Ink is also energy efficient, only using electricity current to change over, and doesn’t require any current to maintain its colour.

"Digital experiences won't just be limited to displays in the future. There will be more and more melding of the real and virtual, “ BMW board member Frank Weber said.

“With the BMW iX Flow, we are bringing the car body to life.”