BMW hosts innovator behind iX Flow at Waterway Point

A car that changes colour at will may seem more the stuff of science fiction than reality, but BMW is working to bring just such an idea into reality, thanks to the use of E Ink technology.

For those unfamiliar, the firm has already showcased the monochrome iX Flow - a BMW iX that can alter its body panels so that it can appear in different shades back in 2022 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Those who attended the panel discussion got to see the E Ink samples in action

This was followed by the reveal of the i Vision Dee, which, amongst a host of other technological innovations, also came with a body that built on the E Ink technology so it could now alternate between 32 different shades of colour.

This concept car actually made its way right here to Singapore in July 2022. But now BMW is keen to bring the technology closer to us still.

It is now hosting Dr. Stella Clarke, its very own Research Engineer responsible for coming up with the original idea, right here on our sunny island to share more about the technology and some of its more practical applications for the future.

Dr. Stella Clarke shared about some of the difficulties her team faced when they applied the E Ink panels on the BMW iX Flow

Both members of the media and the general public were invited to join in on a panel discussion on 17 November 2023 at BMW's Circle Of Joy roadshow at Waterway Point, wherein Dr. Clarke shared many of her experiences pushing for the development of the technology.

At the event, Dr. Clarke highlighted how the idea of utilising the technology was initially difficult, given its reduced visibility at the early developmental stages, which were all undertaken in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the simplicity of the technology, and the innovative culture at BMW eventually saw her and her team being able to push for an actual concept (the BMW iX Flow) to be displayed at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show. She shares, that her and the team were surprised by the stir that the IX Flow managed to create – the concept not only went viral on social media, but was also declared the best in show at CES 2022 from a host of tech publications.

Catch the rest of BMW's lineup at the West Wing Village Square of Waterway Point

Discussing with the media if such a technology will be able to create the colour-changing car that many are hoping for, Dr. Clarke shares that such an application of the E Ink technology still awaits many legislative considerations before there's a chance that BMW will put in into a production vehicle.

However, the firm is keen on utilising the technology on selected sections of the vehicle. So we might be able to get colour-changing racing stripes on a future BMW, or perhaps even the option the have a multi-coloured two-tone roof.

In the meantime, BMW's current range, which already is available in a host of different exterior finishes is available to view until 19 November 2023 at the West Wing Village Square of Waterway Point, located at 83 Punggol Central, Singapore 828761.