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Next-Gen Windshield Wipers To Be Based On Jet Fighter "Forcefield" Tech

Posted by samzenpus on from the rain-rain-go-away dept.

cartechboy writes "It looks like the old-school windshield wiper is about to be replaced by new technology — but not until 2015. British car-maker McLaren is apparently developing a new window cleaning system that is modeled from fighter jet tech. The company isn't revealing exactly how it will work, but the idea comes from the chief designer simply asking a military source why you don't see wipers on jets as they land. Experts expect McClaren to use constantly active, high-frequency sound waves outside the range of human hearing that will effectively create a force field across a car's windshield to repel water, ice insects and other debris. Similar sound waves are used by dentists to remove plaque from teeth."

7 of 237 comments (clear)

  1. Ice insects? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    This wiper also keeps lions away.

    1. Re:Ice insects? by Scutter · · Score: 5, Funny

      I know some journalists hate the Oxford Comma, but this is getting ridiculous,

      --

      "Tell me doctor, with all of your defenses, are there any provisions for an attack by killer bees?"
  2. Re:Impossible by bondsbw · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm pretty sure that most tech involving sound waves is not developed in space.

    --
    All my liberal friends think I'm a conservative, all my conservative friends think I'm a liberal.
  3. Re:Impossible by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In space, no one can hear you wipe

  4. Re:What happens when it can't keep up? by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · · Score: 5, Funny

    Solution: Don't drive a McClaren in those conditions. You'll just have to take the Bentley, or the Rolls Royce.

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    Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
  5. Bleed Air, Not Sound by DougF · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Jet fighters use bleed air to clear the windscreens, not high frequency sound. The pilot just has to remember to use it sparingly on the ground, or the windscreen melts, which most pilots agree is a bad thing...and mechanics get really ticked off replacing them. Another way to clean the windscreens is a quick shot of JP-8 from your nearby in-flight refueler (booms works best), but you didn't hear that from me...

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    Impetuous! Homeric!
  6. Re:Rain X by DougF · · Score: 5, Interesting

    ...for about 30 seconds and then as the aircraft accelerates past 200kts or so, the rain x is scrubbed off. We tried it, didn't work. Best thing is to use a plexiglass polish to keep the glass as smooth as possible between flights. A bug hitting the windscreen of a fighter jet going 500+kts is not going to be repelled by high frequency sound or any hydrophobic surface. I've seen dents in the leading edges of the wings just from hitting grasshoppers...

    --
    Impetuous! Homeric!