BMW has unveiled a unique art car that combines the latest technology with the artistic language of South African artist Esther Mahlangu. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is a one-of-a-kind electric sedan that can change its exterior color and pattern at the touch of a button, thanks to the innovative E Ink technology developed by BMW.
What is E Ink and how does it work?
E Ink is a technology that allows for dynamic color changes on the surface of vehicle bodies. It is based on a similar principle as e-book readers, where millions of microcapsules containing white and black pigments are embedded in a film. By applying an electric voltage, the pigments can be moved to the surface of the microcapsules, creating different shades of gray. The technology is extremely efficient, as it takes no electricity to maintain the color state.
BMW has been developing and advancing E Ink technology since its first public appearance in 2022, when it presented the BMW iX Flow, an SUV that could switch its entire exterior color from black to white and back again. Since then, the technology has evolved to allow for faster and more diverse color changes and more complex patterns and animations.