Just a piece of glass?

Technology has been slowly creeping its way into every facet of the modern car, from supercar-rivalling electric hybrid engines to automated self-parking steering, every part of the car can be seemingly “improved” with gadgets and gizmos. Now, it seems, even the humble windscreen is getting a tech-savvy makeover.

Low E glass technology is being developed for windscreens. Auto Glass Association (autoglass.org.au) explains this as an insulating technology designed to control temperature variations within the car, allowing the interior to remain cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Heads-up displays, or HUDs, are seeing more mainstream appeal in modern cars. Information such as speed, GPS directions, pedestrian alerts and warning signals can all be projected onto the windscreen, directly in line with the driver’s field of vision. According to BMW, this can allow for a driver to process such information up to 50 per cent faster.

All kinds of sensors are now being implemented into windscreens to make it easier for drivers to concentrate on the road. Rain sensors allow for automatic detection of rain, snow and debris, activating and adjusting the speed of the wipers accordingly. Other new sensors being implemented include light sensors that can automatically turn on headlights once external lighting conditions start to become dim, and humidity sensors which detect humidity levels and adjust temperatures to prevent misting of the windscreen.

Some windscreens are now featuring an advanced lane departure warning system. A camera, mounted at the top centre of the windscreen can automatically detect when the vehicle is straying from its lane and an alert will sound to notify the driver.

The ordinary antenna will soon become a thing of the past thanks to new windscreen technologies. Companies have now developed a way to incorporate antennas into glass, replacing the old telescoping or shark-fin design.

Noise can also be reduced through a special glass laminating process. This is designed to reduce engine and road noise as well as wind noise and vibration. Driver and passenger comfort levels should improve with better acoustic performance of the windscreen.

New technologies in the windscreen wipers will also eliminate frozen and uneven wipers. A special wiper heater should see the wiper blades remain pliable and fully functional, even in sub-zero conditions, with some models even activating while the car is switched off.

The once unassuming windscreen is now becoming more than just a piece of glass. These improvements to windscreen design will only make it easier and safer to be on our roads, but with car technology advancing in such leaps and bounds, one has to wonder, how long before we can develop one that will do our taxes?

images:www.autoglass.org.au