NEW BMW My Modes customized vehicle experiences debuted at the 2022 Consumer Electronic Show (CES). The roster of new tech included the introduction of a color changing car, unique soundscapes by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, virtual art designs and a theater mode showpiece. The innovations came together in the BMW iX Flow concept vehicle. The BMW iX Flow features E Ink, which adapts the exterior color of a vehicle depending on user input. The change is made possible by a body wrap specifically tailored for the vehicle that uses electrophoretic technology to change the body skin to whatever color the driver desires. The exterior color changes also increase the iX Flow’s efficiency and interior comfort by reflecting sunlight in lighter tones, cooling off the vehicle or heating it up with darker ones requiring less effort from the climate system. Unlike projector or display, E Ink does not need energy to maintain, it only uses short bursts of energy for color changes. “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 into their car,” said Stella Clarke, head of project for the BMW iX Flow. “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.” BMW is also bringing customization qualities to the interior, with the introduction to its Digital Art Mode by Chinese multimedia artist Cao Fei. The My Modes feature aims to create a highly personal user experience on an emotional and functional level that can be created at the touch of a button or via voice control. Features like drive and steering control, mood lighting and sound, along with the color scheme and graphics of the BMW Curved Display can all be made personal. Digital Art Mode will be made available in selected BMW series vehicles in 2022. Its theater mode turns the back seat of a vehicle into a private cinema lounge, complete with surround sound. The mode centers around a 31-inch, 8K BMW Theater Screen that connects to the internet and streaming services via 5G. The large screen tucks into the headliner when not in use. It can be controlled by touch operation or using touch pads integrated in the rear doors. The BMW Group is working with Amazon to offer entertainment through Fire TV, something Jeep vehicles already deliver to customers. With the new BMW IconicSounds Electric feature, customers can choose to have their car emit sounds atypical from those traditionally sounded by an electric vehicle via the company’s IconicSounds Electric feature. BMW worked with composer Zimmer to create sounds that give the new SUV a unique acoustic character. The drive sound varies by vehicle and requires a driver to select the My Mode option. In My Mode Personal, the default setting in the BMW iX, BMW IconicSounds Electric uses a spherical sound pattern and many tonal components to convey a basic acoustic mood. My Mode Comfort is the default setting in the BMW i4. Both modes feature an acoustic pedestrian warning sound, which is usually required by law or federal regulation. The arrival of BMW IconicSounds Electric comes with the announcement of two additional settings, Expressive and Relax. Expressive is accompanied by high-contrast neon colors and abstract patterns on the BMW Curved Display. Its underlying tonality consists of a violin tone. The BMW IconicSounds Electric will be available for the first time in the BMW i4 in the first half of 2022 and then also for the BMW iX in the second half of 2022. They can be imported into suitably equipped vehicles via Remote Software Upgrade. (SD-Agencies) | 