In early March, we reported that BMW demonstrated the latest result of its cooperation with Yuantai Technology at the Frieze Los Angeles Art Fair, using Prism 3 color electronic paper - i5 Flow NOSTOKANA . Does anyone know how to install and activate these electronic papers in the car? Popular Science has released a popular science article description. Let us introduce the key points to you.
BMW's i5 Flow Nostokana is carefully covered with 1,349 pieces of E Ink Prism electronic paper film, which allows the vehicle's appearance color to change according to the user's needs, and can even display important information on the outside of the vehicle, such as tire pressure or battery level. However, there is a major problem in applying E Ink technology to automobiles: the traditional E Ink panel is rectangular and inelastic, making it difficult to fit the curved surface design of the car. BMW engineer Stella Clarke said adapting the panels to the car's complex curvilinear shape required "origami" skills and laser cutting to achieve an exact match of shape. Additionally, E Ink panels are not malleable or stretchable once fixed.
So, installing these e-paper panels is a delicate and complex process that requires precise measuring and cutting to ensure that each panel aligns perfectly with the curves of the body. First, engineers take careful measurements of the vehicle to determine the precise size and shape of each panel. Next, high-precision laser cutting technology is used to cut the E Ink panels to match the specific curves and angles of the car body. When installing the panels, the BMW team used special adhesives and fixing techniques to ensure that each panel can be firmly attached to the body and will not fall off or shift during long-term use. Each panel is placed precisely in its designated position and closely connected to each other to form an overall system of color variations.
BMW Engineering installs Prism electronic paper on the car body. (Image source: BMW)
The color change of these e-paper panels is initiated through a specialized control system inside the vehicle. This system can precisely control the voltage applied to each panel, thereby driving the microcapsules in the panel to move and change the color of the display. Users can select the color or mode they want to display through the vehicle's central control system or smartphone application, and the control system will instantly adjust 1,349 pieces of film to achieve rapid changes in body color. In order to integrate these technologies into the car, the BMW team conducted a lot of customization work. All of the controls, responsible for sending signals to the E Ink panel to change colors, are made in-house at BMW. The team spent a lot of time working on how to make the panels flexibly fit on the car and ensure that once voltage was applied, the panels could maintain their color stably without requiring additional energy.
Clarke's team demonstrated the entire process from concept to finished product from early prototype exploration to final implementation, overcoming multiple technical challenges. Through this sophisticated design and installation process, BMW's i5 Flow Nostokana model not only demonstrates the huge potential of E Ink technology in automotive industry applications, but also provides new possibilities for future car design and personalization.
We hope that in the future, Yuantai Technology’s E Ink Prism color-changing electronic paper will be used in different areas of our lives, bringing us more innovations and conveniences.
Video: BMW i5 FLOW NOSTOKANA - fascinating color changing exterior
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