Digitisation is delivering an integrated user experience characterised by individuality and emotionalisation in the interior of current BMW models. The My Modes allow the driver to tailor the atmosphere in the interior entirely to their personal mood and the driving experience they want. With the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink being presented on the occasion of CES 2022, the Munich-based premium car manufacturer is offering the prospect of a future technology that uses digitisation to also adapt the exterior of a vehicle to different situations and individual wishes. The surface of the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink can vary its shade at the driver’s prompting.

Frank Weber, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development: “Digital experiences won’t just be limited to displays in the future. There will be more and more melding of the real and virtual. With the BMW iX Flow, we are bringing the car body to life.”

A man working on his laptop and writing in a notebook at a desk.

The fluid colour changes are made possible by a specially developed body wrap that is tailored precisely to the contours of the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW. When stimulated by electrical signals, the electrophoretic technology brings different colour pigments to the surface, causing the body skin to take on the desired colouration. Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design: “The BMW iX Flow is an advanced research and design project and a great example of the forward thinking that BMW is known for.”

The innovative E Ink technology opens completely new ways of changing the vehicle’s appearance in line with the driver’s aesthetic preferences, the environmental conditions or even functional requirements. The technology thus offers unprecedented potential for personalisation in the area of exterior design. The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink demonstrates this potential to impressive effect. Against this background, the BMW Group is driving the development of the technology so that a new form of personalisation can be experienced both on the outside and in the inside of future production vehicles.

Already today, the colour chosen for a car is an expression of the driver’s personality. The choice of exterior paints available for current BMW models covers a wide colour spectrum. In this way, the longing for a wildly expressive, extravagant, or sporty appearance on the outside can be taken into account as well as the desire for an understated, subtle or elegant appearance. New variants are added each year that reflect the characteristics of the model in question and that allow the brand to keep setting trends in the area of exterior design.

New technologies will provide a whole new level of decision-making freedom in the future. “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,” says Stella Clarke, Head of Project for the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink. “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.”

How a variable exterior colour can increase efficiency.
A variable exterior colour can also contribute to wellness in the interior and to the efficiency of the vehicle. This is done by taking account of the different abilities of light and dark colours when it comes to reflecting sunlight and the associated absorption of thermal energy. A white surface reflects a lot more sunlight than a black one. By implication, heating of the vehicle and passenger compartment as a result of strong sunlight and high outside temperatures can be reduced by changing the exterior to a light colour. In cooler weather, a dark outer skin will help the vehicle to absorb noticeably more warmth from the sun.

In both cases, selective colour changes can help to cut the amount of cooling and heating required from the vehicle’s air conditioning. This reduces the amount of energy the vehicle electrical system needs and with it also the vehicle’s fuel or electricity consumption. In an all-electric car, changing the colour in line with the weather can therefore also help to increase the range. In the interior, the technology could, for example, prevent the dashboard from heating up too much.

E Ink technology itself is extremely energy efficient. Unlike displays or projectors, the electrophoretic technology needs absolutely no energy to keep the chosen colour state constant. Current only flows during the short colour changing phase.

Millions of paint capsules in a custom wrap.
Electrophoretic colouring is based on a technology developed by E Ink that is most well-known from the displays used in eReaders. The surface coating of the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink contains many millions of microcapsules, with a diameter equivalent to the thickness of a human hair. Each of these microcapsules contains negatively charged white pigments and positively charged black pigments. Depending on the chosen setting, stimulation by means of an electrical field causes either the white or the black pigments to collect at the surface of the microcapsule, giving the car body the desired shade.

Achieving this effect on a vehicle body involves the application of many precisely fitted ePaper segments. Generative design processes are implemented to ensure the segments reflect the characteristic contours of the vehicle and the resulting variations in light and shadow. The generative design algorithms enable the necessary formability and flexibility required to tailor the ePaper exactly to the design lines of the vehicle.

Laser cutting technologies guarantee high precision in generating each segment. After the segments are applied and the power supply for stimulating the electrical field is connected, the entire body is warmed and sealed to guarantee optimum and uniform colour reproduction during every colour change.

INTELLIGENT MOBILITY

GM Updates Infotainment System With Smarter Features

Published

14 hours ago

July 30, 2026

Marcelo Lagos

General Motors is rolling out new over-the-air software updates that improve the infotainment experience with a redesigned interface, enhanced personalization and easier-to-use controls across eligible Cadillac models.

The latest GM infotainment software update introduces a wide range of enhancements designed to make the in-vehicle experience more intuitive and personalized. Developed using customer feedback, the new features improve navigation, media controls, seating preferences and charging functions while delivering a cleaner and more responsive interface.

Moreover, the updates are arriving through over-the-air software downloads, allowing eligible Cadillac owners to receive new functionality without visiting a dealership.

Smarter Audio Controls and Easier Navigationdia playback.

Drivers can now view an upcoming playlist through a new side queue, making it easier to see which songs will play next. Additionally, a new drop-down source selector allows users to switch between music apps and audio sources with fewer taps, creating a faster and more seamless listening experience.

Furthermore, larger touch targets throughout the interface reduce accidental presses and make frequently used controls easier to access.

GM’s updated infotainment interface features improved media controls and larger touch targets.

Personalized Driver Profiles and Comfort Settings

The GM infotainment software update also expands personalization features.

Drivers can now link two user profiles to the vehicle’s memory seat buttons. With a single press, both the preferred seating position and the driver’s personalized profile are restored automatically. The feature will debut on the 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ before expanding to additional GM models.

Meanwhile, seat adjustment graphics have been redesigned to match the physical controls located on the vehicle’s doors. As a result, changing comfort settings becomes more intuitive and visually consistent.

Additionally, the charging application now features clearer labels and descriptions, making charging options easier to understand.

Updated driver profiles automatically restore personalized seating and infotainment settings.

Better Connectivity and Improved Display Quality

GM has also refined several everyday features to improve convenience.

The latest software includes sharper Head-Up Display graphics, making important driving information easier to read. Furthermore, Bluetooth pairing has been simplified by removing an extra confirmation step, allowing devices to connect more quickly.

These refinements contribute to a smoother user experience while reducing unnecessary interactions with the infotainment system.

Eligible Cadillac Models Receive Over-the-Air Updates

The new GM infotainment software update is being released gradually through over-the-air updates.

Eligible vehicles include:

2025 Cadillac LYRIQ
2026 Cadillac LYRIQ
2025 Cadillac OPTIQ
2026 Cadillac OPTIQ
2025 Cadillac VISTIQ
2026 Cadillac VISTIQ
2025 Cadillac CT5
2026 Cadillac CT5

GM confirmed that additional software improvements will continue rolling out over the coming months as updates become available.

Eligible Cadillac models receive the latest infotainment improvements through over-the-air software updates.

Future Updates Will Expand the Experience

General Motors has already outlined additional enhancements planned for future releases.

Upcoming updates will introduce a redesigned home screen featuring a larger interactive navigation map alongside media controls. Drivers will also benefit from simplified widget customization, making it easier to personalize the dashboard layout with just a few taps.

Overall, these software improvements demonstrate GM’s continued focus on enhancing the digital driving experience through regular over-the-air updates, delivering new features that improve usability, convenience and personalization without requiring new hardware.

INTELLIGENT MOBILITY

2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV Adds NACS Fast Charging

Published

3 days ago

July 28, 2026

Marcelo Lagos

Mitsubishi has revealed new charging details for the 2027 Eclipse Sportback EV, confirming NACS compatibility, fast charging capabilities and flexible home charging options ahead of its North American launch.

The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV is taking another step toward its North American debut with new details about its charging technology. Mitsubishi has confirmed that every version of its upcoming electric crossover will feature multiple charging options, giving drivers greater flexibility whether charging at home or on the road.

Moreover, the new EV will arrive with direct access to one of the continent’s largest public charging networks.

Standard NACS Compatibility Across the Lineup

The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV will come standard with the North American Charging System (NACS) connector on every trim level.

This compatibility allows owners to access the growing Supercharger network without requiring additional hardware. Furthermore, the electric SUV supports DC fast charging at up to 150 kW, enabling the battery to recharge from 10% to 80% in approximately 35 minutes, depending on charging conditions.

As a result, Mitsubishi aims to make long-distance travel more convenient for future Eclipse Sportback EV owners.

The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV will feature standard NACS charging compatibility across the lineup.

Flexible Home Charging Solutions

In addition to DC fast charging, Mitsubishi is equipping the Eclipse Sportback EV with a J1772 connector for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.

This setup allows owners to recharge the battery at home or through thousands of public AC charging stations across North America. Consequently, drivers will have multiple charging solutions depending on their daily needs.

Additionally, Mitsubishi says the vehicle’s charging performance may vary depending on battery temperature, ambient conditions and charger output.

A J1772 connector will support both Level 1 and Level 2 home charging.

A Key Model in Mitsubishi’s EV Expansion

The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV plays an important role in the company’s Momentum 2030 strategy.

The sporty electric crossover features distinctive front and rear styling, signature lighting and Mitsubishi’s recognizable Triple Diamond branding. Meanwhile, the automaker plans to continue expanding its lineup, with an all-new off-road-oriented Outlander variant expected to follow in early 2027.

Therefore, the Eclipse Sportback EV represents another major milestone in Mitsubishi’s broader electrification plans for North America.

The Eclipse Sportback EV is a cornerstone of Mitsubishi’s Momentum 2030 electrification strategy.

2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV Expands Charging Convenience

The 2027 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback EV combines flexible charging solutions with modern electric vehicle technology to improve everyday usability.

Overall, standard NACS compatibility, fast DC charging and home charging capability position Mitsubishi’s newest electric crossover as an attractive option for drivers seeking greater charging convenience when it arrives in North America later this year.

INTELLIGENT MOBILITY

Hyundai Opens UX Studio Shanghai to Drive Global Innovation

Published

5 days ago

July 26, 2026

Marcelo Lagos

Hyundai Motor Group has opened UX Studio Shanghai, a new research hub designed to study Chinese consumer behavior and shape the next generation of connected mobility worldwide.

Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai is the latest step in the automaker’s strategy to develop smarter and more connected mobility experiences. Located in one of China’s leading innovation centers, the new research hub will gather consumer insights and help transform them into future vehicle technologies for global markets.

Moreover, the facility strengthens Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to designing vehicles around real customer needs.

A New Center Focused on User Experience

The new Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai expands the company’s global user experience network, joining existing research centers in Seoul, Frankfurt and Irvine.

As a result, Hyundai can better understand how Chinese consumers interact with connected vehicles and digital technologies. The facility will also support the company’s “In China, For China, To Global” strategy by turning local innovations into worldwide solutions.

Furthermore, researchers will work directly with customers throughout the product development process.

Hyundai’s new UX Studio Shanghai will study consumer behavior to improve future mobility experiences.

Designed for the Era of Software-Defined Vehicles

As vehicles become increasingly software-driven, Hyundai believes customer experience is becoming just as important as performance.

Therefore, UX Studio Shanghai focuses on technologies such as connected ecosystems, voice interaction, intelligent interfaces and digital mobility services. In addition, the company expects local consumer feedback to influence future software-defined vehicles across its global lineup.

The new center also supports collaboration between engineers, designers and customers from the earliest development stages.

The research hub will help develop software-defined vehicles through customer collaboration.

Chinese Innovation Will Influence Global Products

Shanghai was selected because of its advanced technology ecosystem and rapidly evolving mobility market.

Meanwhile, Hyundai is partnering with leading academic institutions and local experts to better understand changing consumer behaviors. Research will cover a wide range of mobility scenarios, including family transportation, urban commuting and connected driving experiences.

Consequently, innovations developed in Shanghai will be shared across Hyundai’s worldwide research and development network.

Hyundai expects insights from Shanghai to shape future vehicles sold around the world.

Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai Strengthens Future Mobility Development

The Hyundai UX Studio Shanghai represents far more than a regional research center.

Overall, the new facility reinforces Hyundai Motor Group’s strategy of combining local innovation with global development. By placing Chinese consumer insights at the center of future product planning, the company aims to create smarter, more connected and more personalized mobility experiences for customers worldwide.