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. …

[mikrofon]

What’s a windscreen, a bug-catcher ??

Is it close to the tyres .... near the petrol tank ;-?

[AlexW]

“Everybody needs a car man.”
__________________________________________
Yes, if you live in the US, where I went through about 10 cars and a million miles.
Between central Europe, and now the Philippines, I have had no need or desire for one at all. I can get anywhere I want with little or no problem at all.

[DemforBush]

This little ditty from Heywood Banks seems appropriate right now: (I wish I'd replaced my) Wiper Blades.

[Yo-Yo]

The "similar system used on fighter jets" is high pressure bleed air from the jet engine's compressor stage blown over the windshield.

Unless McLaren is installing an F119 jet engine, they're going have a hard time pumping enough air to blow the windshield dry on a car.

[puppypusher]

“What’s a windscreen, a bug-catcher ??”

Here in Connecticut the roads are so crowded and in need of repair that your wind shield is more likely to be a rock deflector than a bug catcher.

My windshield has been replaced twice already because of rocks being kicked up by other vehicles or falling out of construction dump trucks.

[Boojum]

In the good old days Airplanes had ashtrays!

[eartrumpet]

I also want my ashtray back.

I wonder how many forest fires have been started since ashtrays went away, and what they cost to fight.

[nascarnation]

Could they be planning an oversize turbo or two?

[miliantnutcase]

Now, without ash trays everyone just flicks their cigs out the window... Brilliant indeed.

[Venturer]

I use the rain X windshield washer fluid in my washer, it works great, I hardly ever use the wipers.

[cripplecreek]

I want crank windows back.

[elkfersupper]

Between central Europe, and now the Philippines, I have had no need or desire for one at all. I can get anywhere I want with little or no problem at all.

I'm sure it's not a problem, but a man needs a little bit of solitude and mobility.

[Hot Tabasco]

I use the rain X windshield washer fluid in my washer,

Thanks for the info, I didn't know they made it..............I'll definitely pick some up.

[Jonty30]

I can see that, but I can also see that having a keyhole only on the driver’s is very useful in keeping the wife from getting in the car to prevent you from going on these dates.

[Repeat Offender]

Yeah, do they have any idea how hard it is to text with your thumbs and steer with your knees while trying not to spill the can of beer between your legs?

[ottbmare]

The little front vent windows were great. I also loved those vents that opened near the front wheels, so air would blow on your legs. And station wagons that had a big rear window you could lower.

Of course, back then cars were made out of actual Detroit sheet metal, not bits of plastic.

[elkfersupper]

I want crank windows back.

Me too. You can torque them down or up even when they are sealed with ice.

[GreyFriar]

What about a sonic screwdriver?

[unixfox]

In the good old days Airplanes had ashtrays!

I can remember being able to walk to the convenience store as a kid to buy mom her smokes.

Now days they would send in a SWAT team for such an act. Those born after 1980 don't realize just how many freedoms we have lost.

[Political Junkie Too]

...the proposed design is understood to center on high-frequency sound waves that effectively create a force field across the windscreen...

Now if they can just focus it to a pinpoint and aim it at the car in front of me...

-PJ