BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA: A Canvas on Wheels
Imagine a vehicle whose exterior can change at will, adapting to your mood or the weather. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA makes this a tangible possibility, blending cutting-edge technology with the vibrant artistry of South African Ndebele artist Esther Mahlangu. This unique concept car showcases the latest evolution of BMW’s color-change technology using E Ink, opening a new realm of customization in automotive design. It’s a fusion of technology, innovation, and art, presented at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair.
This special design pays homage to BMW’s legacy of art cars and its global cultural engagement. Mahlangu, who designed the 12th BMW Art Car—a BMW 525i—in 1991, was the first woman and first African artist to receive the opportunity. Stella Clarke, a Research Engineer in Open Innovations at the BMW Group, recalls being inspired by Mahlangu’s art years ago when dynamic color changes on a BMW’s body were just an idea. Seeing that idea now realized in the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is incredible.
Mahlangu’s Ndebele paintings, known for their distinctive geometric patterns and colors, originally symbolized important cultural events. These elements are perfectly suited to demonstrate the innovative flow technology on the BMW i5.
Color Change at the Touch of a Button
BMW’s vision extends beyond static designs to incorporate digital experiences. The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink, introduced in 2022, showcased this capability by switching its entire exterior color between black and white. The core of this color-changing ability lies in electrophoresis, a technology developed by the E Ink Corporation and also used in e-book readers.
The BMW iX Flow’s surface is coated with millions of microcapsules, each about the width of a human hair. These capsules contain both negatively charged white and positively charged black pigments. Applying an electrical impulse causes either the white or black pigments to collect on the surface, allowing the vehicle’s body to display various colors. Beyond aesthetics, the color change also has functional benefits:
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Light Reflection: Lighter colors reflect more sunlight, reducing heat absorption. In hot weather, a lighter exterior can lower the car’s temperature, decreasing strain on the air conditioning system.
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Heat Absorption: Conversely, a darker exterior absorbs more heat in cooler conditions, helping to warm the vehicle. These changes assist in balancing the internal climate control, offering improved efficiency.
The NOSTOKANA Inspiration and Future Applications
In 2023, the team developed multi-colored implementations. The BMW i Vision Dee could display up to 32 colors on 240 individually controllable E Ink film segments. The BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA takes this technology further, featuring 1,349 film segments that cover the sides, roof, hood, trunk, and rims. Each segment can be independently controlled, highlighting the complex ornamentation of Mahlangu’s art in ever-changing compositions. The name NOSTOKANA, chosen for the art car, is the name of Esther Mahlangu’s first son and, in Ndebele culture, represents her indigenous name, which mothers take from their firstborn sons. Clarke explains that the project started with curiosity.
For Clarke, the fusion of technology and art creates new possibilities: “Technology is key. You can develop something magical with it. For me, magic always goes hand in hand with a touch of disbelief or astonishment. You question how the trick works.” She believes that art challenges boundaries, ignites inspiration, and fosters joy. As ongoing technological refinements continue to make these film segments more robust, everyday applications for the technology become increasingly feasible. Although the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA is a one-off project for now, the possibilities it suggests are exciting.
