Undoubtedly, the windscreen of every car is a critical component that, unfortunately, is extremely prone to breakage and damage. Windscreens are constructed of glass, which is a delicate material, and as a result, utmost caution must be exercised when driving.
Windshields not only serve to protect and maintain the roof structure of the vehicle, but they also shelter drivers and passengers from external elements, such as the wind, debris, rock, and other environmental elements. It performs a multitude of critical purposes, including preventing unwanted particles from entering the vehicle, shielding the driver from injuries after an accident, and ensuring the driver has the best possible view out in front of the vehicle.
Due to the fact that they perform such critical functions, they must be well-constructed, with no margin for error during the production process.
Today, a windshield is considered a necessity and, in some cases, a legal requirement in certain provinces. As the necessity for a windscreen has grown, the technology behind these safety companions has evolved at a rapid pace.
What are the latest Windshield Technology Advancements?
Let us discuss the top five technological breakthroughs in windshields in recent years. So, take a look at some of the most recent and significant advancements in windshield technology listed below.
1. Gorilla Glass for Windshields
Gorilla glasses are pretty common in mobile phones and tablets. Now latest cars use gorilla glass windshields as well.
Windshields are designed to keep you safe in the event of an accident, and gorilla glass enhances this protection.
Gorilla Glass windshields are more durable than traditional windshields. Gorilla glass protects your windshield from a variety of hazards like dust particles, dirt, tree branches, and other objects, ensuring that it is not harmed.
These glasses can withstand sharp and blunt stone strikes better than conventional windshields, reducing the likelihood of breaking and damage. This, in turn, lessens the requirement for windshield repairs and replacements.
A traditional windshield is composed of three layers:
- An outside layer of soda-lime glass
- A middle layer of PVB thermoplastic
- An inner layer of soda-lime glass
Breakage and cracks are pretty usual with traditional windshields. In contrast, Gorilla glasses provide greater fuel efficiency, impact protection, and viewing spaces in their automobiles in addition to being sturdier.
You’ll be surprised to know that modern car windshields are stronger and safer than regular glass.
2. Panoramic Windshields
Another most popular and most expensive type of windshield is Panoramic or “wraparound” windshield. Extreme heat and direct sunshine can cause damage to your windshield, which is an unavoidable fact. The panoramic windshield is designed to protect you from external elements.
The panoramic windshield combines the windshield and the sunroof to provide you with complete visibility while driving in the bright sunshine, and it also helps to prevent the windshield from becoming cracked or damaged.
Tesla, led by CEO Elon Musk, has hit the headlines for automotive innovation. The panoramic windshield was one of the most notable elements of the cutting-edge Tesla Model X. It gives a practically unhindered view above the driver and passenger, past the usual roofline.
A panoramic windshield allows natural sunshine to penetrate your vehicle and illuminate the interior of the vehicle as well. That’s the reason most modern cars come equipped with panoramic windshields.
3. Smart Car Glasses
Other industries’ technology is frequently used in automotive innovation. Electrochromic glass, commonly known as smart glass, is made using innovative glazing techniques from commercial construction suppliers. As the name implies, these glasses are smart due to their incorporation of smart technology.
The driver can dim the quantity of sunlight entering the vehicle with the push of a button. Solar films used between layers of windshield lamination regulate them electronically. The transparency of the glass varies to filter more or less light. The tint on the windshield and side windows is adjusted automatically.
Smart glass has become the new standard and will likely remain so for some time as people become more comfortable as vision increases, and driving gets safer. Both benefit from abundant natural light, while tinting helps minimize the energy required to cool the vehicle. Additionally, the windshield glass darkens automatically as the light outside increases.
4. Heated Front Windshields
Automobile giants, such as Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, and Land Rover, have recently introduced new car models featuring heated front windshields.
A heated front windshield is a great option for cold regions. Fog and snow reduce your visibility, posing a possible threat to your life, especially in winters. A heated windshield defogs and defrosts more quickly than a typical windshield.
This glass functions in the same way as a heated back windshield. It is a much-needed and one of the most significant breakthroughs in windshield technology that the front windshield can be heated.
Because maintaining a clean field of vision is the most crucial concern when it comes to windshields, that’s why automobile-giants have devised a solution to make the heating component virtually inconspicuous.
5. Windshield with no wipers
Extreme weather conditions such as hailstorms and snow put a lot of stress on the windshield wipers, causing them to wear out over time and increasing your wallet’s burden. As a rule of thumb, you need to change the car’s wipers every six months or when they are completely worn out.
However, some automobile manufacturers have started to develop windshields without wipers. The automobile giants took inspiration from fighter aircraft technologies in order to produce auto glass that does not require wipers. Snow or rain falling on the glass surface is deflected away by the ultrasonic sound produced by the glasses.
Rain, moisture, and debris are prevented from collecting on the glass surface by an ultrasonic force field created by a transducer installed in the corner of the windshield. This technology is yet to be implemented; it is still in the early stage. However, it is hoped that this concept will be offered to automobile purchasers in the near future, as it would provide a more convenient, safer, and aerodynamic alternative for clearing windshields than current technologies.
How can Windshield Store assist you with Windshield Replacement?
So, if you’re searching for technicians with knowledge of these new types of windshields integrated with the latest technology, Windshield Store is your best bet! We have a team of highly qualified and knowledgeable technicians who can assist you with any kind of car glass repair or replacement.
Our technicians adhere to all of the Auto Glass Safety Council’s criteria to ensure that your vehicle’s windshield installation goes successfully. Moreover, we can help you with the highest-quality windshield glasses. We deal only in genuine windshield glass directly from the manufacturer.
Contact us to know more about our services! Our executive will be on hand to assist you throughout the procedure.