Wiperless windshield created, powered by nanotech
Italian car designer Leonardo Fioravanti (of Pininfarina fame) has developed a prototype car with a windshield that doesn’t need wipers. It can brush away water and dirt all by itself.
The car, dubbed Hidra, uses a special aerodynamic design along with four sophisticated surface treatments to the windshield to keep the driver’s view clear. The first treatment filters the sun and repels water. The second is made of nano-dust which is able to push dirt to the edges of the glass. This dust is activated by the third layer, which senses dirt and activates the second layer as necessary. Finally, it’s all topped off by the fourth layer which is a conductor of electricity to power the whole mechanism.
Fioravanti claims that this technology could go into mass production within 5 years, but it already works and has been installed on the Hidra concept car.
Details are still scant, but we wonder how well this technology would work on today’s cars. Hopefully windshield wipers disappear soon. Personally, I hate those things.
Here is a Google translation of the article.
Tags: car, hidra, nanotech, windshield wipers
February 24th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
We need this like, yesterday.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:08 am
That’s great to hear.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:37 am
It’s called rain-x. I never have to use my wipers if my car is moving.
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