In our previous blog, we mentioned the past, present, and future of auto glass; that really got us thinking about the future of the auto glass industry, and what that could look like for the consumers of the future. With radical advances being made everyday in the automotive technology industry, it is interesting to imagine the potential future replacements for the windshields and auto glass of today.

Dreaming Big & Small

HUD

Heads-up-display (HUD) has been used for years now in the form of projection, but could undergo dramatic changes to support nanotechnology, which can effectively turn the entire windshield into a screen for driver convenience. If we imagine the windshield as a screen, the possibilities open up for potential safety and convenience. Some potential innovations that nanotechnology and in-screen projection technology can offer drivers include:

• On-screen speedometer – Everything currently found by glancing down will be able to be viewed while still looking at the windshield. Consider lower and corner portions of the windshield as potential “real estate” where basic car diagnostics and readings will be viewable.

• Warnings and collision alerts – Imagine for a moment if things that we did not notice that could be potential dangers, such as a pothole, sudden brake lights ahead of us, crossing pedestrian, or even something as simple as a reduction in speed limit could be highlighted and broadcasted across the screen. This simple innovation could protect drivers from a large number of perception-related collisions, simply by increasing our awareness.

• Navigation and communication – With many states having already passed “hands free” laws, there is a large amount of value in being able to see and use our cellular devices through our vehicles; currently in the form of built-in touch screens which still cause drivers to be distracted, on-screen navigation, text messaging, calls, radio controls, and other distracting screen and dashboard elements will likely find their way to our windshields.

Media Screens

If, for a moment, we imagine a world in which cars can reliably drive themselves on interstates, long trips, or even simple work commutes, it is not only possible, but likely that cars will adapt media screens to augment windshields. These screens may be able to function as clear glass for “manual driving” or as movie theater for autopilot mode.

With auto manufacturers scrambling to add various driver assistance and drive-by-wire (jargon for automated driving systems) to their high-end and family vehicles alike, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that we could see nearly or fully automated driving systems, at least for interstate travel, in the relative future. After that point, we will have to eventually collectively decide if we can or will trust by-wire systems to drive for us, allowing us to kick back and watch the game or take a nap whilst we travel the highways.

Auto Glass Repair

Whether your windshield serves as simple pane of safety glass, a HUD, or a full-blown movie screen, there will likely come a time that you need to repair a chip or crack; contact West Texas Windshields today for immediate mobile repair service, now and in the future!