Windscreen wipers to be consigned to history?

Sunday Telegraph (UK) ^ | 11:57AM GMT 15 Dec 2013 | Tom Whitehead

[Olog-hai]

It smears flies across your view and freezes up in winter, but now the humble windscreen wiper is destined for history.

Supercar designers McLaren are working on secret plans to replace the rubber wiper with a hi-tech ultrasound device that stops anything sticking to the windscreen. It would mean wiper arms heading down the same road as wind-up windows and ashtrays as they vanish from cars.

Adapted from a similar system used on fighter jets, the proposed design is understood to center on high-frequency sound waves that effectively create a force field across the windscreen preventing water, insects and mud from resting on the glass. …

[Blood of Tyrants]

What about in the morning when my windshield is covered with ice or frost?

[2ndDivisionVet]

Who told the automakers to eliminate ashtrays? The government? I don’t smoke, but that’s ridiculous.

[elkfersupper]

One more thing to break down.

I also want my ashtray back.

[lepton]

That’s what it’s best at. Blast the frost right out of there. What I wonder. Is how it’ll deal with a driving rain.

[Red Steel]

A sonic shower.

[YOMO]

Not to mention the little wing windows on side windows in sedans/

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Yea now you have to buy a cup shaped ashtray and put it in the cup holder and still have to put your beer can between your legs.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

And the foot operated dimmer switch.

[molson209]

Cars had ashtrays ?

[Jack Hydrazine]

How about using the same system for an umbrella?

[Olog-hai]

As early as 2000, the media said the car companies were claiming it was to cut costs. Government involvement (depending on the country) seems to be centered around cutting down on “distracted driving”.

[Disambiguator]

I like wind-up windows. They seem to work better than power windows when the ignition is off, or maybe that’s just me.

[Jonty30]

I don’t think they need to invent anything that isn’t already here. They have stuff you can spray on the window and nothing sticks to it once it dry’s.

[ThunderSleeps]

No ashtrays? Where am I going to keep my loose change?

Can't wait to take my dog to the vet on a rainy day. Yeah, that ought to be fun for both of us...

[2ndDivisionVet]

My Lincoln Mark VII had six, IIRC.

[Red_Devil 232]

I would like those back myself!

[al baby]

Just pour hot water over it

[puppypusher]

When I was in the Air Force I observed that windshield Wipers were Non existent on High performance Air Craft like the FB-111 fighter Bomber.That plane used High pressure bleed air to clean its windshield.

[Yorlik803]

I want keyed door locks on both doors.
My Chevy Colorado only has key locks on the driver side. And since I don’t have power door locks, when I go on a date its awkward.