Wiperless windshields in your future? Thanks, nanotech.
By Paul Miller 
posted February 24th 2008 11:15AM
posted February 24th 2008 11:15AM
[Via Sparking Tech, thanks Nicole]
posted February 24th 2008 11:15AM
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It's because the phrase literally refers to 2 separate "thirds." As in, "two of the unit known as a third of an integer." Not "two out of three." Not "two threes." No. Two "thirds."
only on Engadget...................
Maybe its 2/3rds?
For the same reason the sign outside of DSW reads "DSW Shoe Warehouse"
Could the "nano-dust" get into the ground water? Could it become a new air pollutant? What about its end of life aka landfill stage? Is it more/less recyclable and/or more/less toxic than the current wiper technology?
In other words: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precautionary_principle
It could be new plastic (it's everywhere). http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/anotherview/all-left_col-a.6275045feb17,0,6117970.story
...but worse.
I guess everyone is a bit frightened of sub-micron particles. I mean since none occur in nature and all are made by evil scientists who do not believe in un-intelligent design. Fear mongering about new technology is why we do not have 90% of the stuff that is developed in labs!
I think legislation should be passed that anything made with atoms should be outlawed because we all know if you get close to an atom, it may explode and cause another Hiroshima!
I kind of wonder when the fear will stop and people will realise that "evil" scientists truly care about the planet. We are the ones who have been telling everyone about the environmental calamity that governments have been in denial. Denial is not a river in Egypt!
Geez folks, wake up and realise that there are some amazing things on the horizon that may actually change your entire life and they are not bad! I mean really Engadget is a great portal to the next besterestest thing!
Please do not buy into all of the fearmongering that is going on by special interests. We have lost 75% of our funding in Australia because of this crap, so if I sound a bit personal, that is why. All because some Azzwhole said that no precautions were being taken in labs who are conducting this research! I guess no one has heard of clean rooms.
Once this "stuff" is in the marketplace - as in your Dockers that are stain resistant - precautions have been taken to prevent harm. Maybe everyone should hold off on buying iPhones - you know that there is nanotechnology in there just waiting to attack helpless Zune users.
thanks
Hum, imagine that! Man made corporate controlled robotic nano virii! Cant see it? Ok look at it this way. Simply replace the robots in iRobots (all controlled from a central hub) with nanobots, and, well, you get where this could end up. "The war against the machines will not be televised" because it will be waged on a microscopic, nano level.
Corporate Robotics issues the "suppress" command from a central location and all of a sudden the crowd of protesters fall to the ground. Whahappen? A microscopic dust like army of self replicating nanites shut them down (knocked out or killed) that what. And this is just the tip of the ice burg READ people, READ!! http://www.e-drexler.com/d/06/00/EOC/EOC_Chapter_2.html
See: Chasm City, by Alistair Reynolds
Excelent novel, involves a city that uses nanotechnology in everything and is infected by a virus that kills machines above a certain level of complexity.
Slightly different, but along the same line.
.
Doom?
Doom?! Dude Corporate Nano control of human hosts will make organized religion look like a Caligula slam dance party!!!
I'll take "Ability to play..." for $500, Alex.
This article is all fine and dandy, AutoBlog, but you failed to report on two key points:
1. Does the technology use less energy than windshield wipers?
2. Is the technology more effective than a good set of windshield wipers?
Meant Engadget, not AutoBlog.
I'd imagine they'd have the sense to make something like this solar/light powered
Adam, shut the fuckup.
The electricity needed to "run" the windshield is produced by the fourth layer of film on the glass. Nothing to plug in.
I bet you're one of those who hate hybrids and electrics because they're not pollution free enough. ugh.
It'll be fun to explain to the people at the DMV why you do not have wiper blades on your car when you go to get your car inspected.
Comma splice in the first sentence.
I'm just sayin'.
Much love,
Grammar Boy
What happends when rain enters the window, car get turned off before it is "wiped off" and it freezes? with multiple layers and the sensing beeing over the wipeing it sounds like a very nice chance for ice to send the nanotech to meet its maker?
Wouldn't all them nanobots get in the way of my radar detector? Honestly, if that were the case, I'm going with the cheaper solution. Radar Detector, check. Glass Windshield, check. Several coats of Rain-X, check.
For the technologically inclined, Nano-technology isn't all about tiny little robots doing your bidding. It's just a reference to any technology on the scale of nanometers. for our sake, it could be a nano tube that vibrates when placed under an electrical current.
They ain't sho what that there dadgum nanotech is, but they knowed they's ag'n it. Reassuring to know that these people have control of nuclear weapons, isn't it?
I'm a skeptic about the windshields. I suspect they won't be able to handle northern winter weather or bugs, or squeegee punks (I'd pay extra for that). Good to know that Rain-x works though. I tried a sampler when it first came out and wasn't impressed.
you mean "nucular" weapons
I noticed the car in the photo has no side view mirrors. Is it the rear window that needs no wipers? Or is their marketing department just lame?
Can you say rear view camera? after all it is a concept car.
I'm interested in the durability of the surface. I've lived in some pretty windy places (Colorado front range, SW Texas) and I've seen what sand and tiny debris can do to a windshield when your car is repeated parked in a large parking lot. Will the electrical substrate stand up to sand blasting long enough to justify the cost?
Why not cover the whole freaking car with this stuff?
That way you don't need to ever wash your car...
Is this true 'nanotech' or is this like the 'nanotech' fibers in some pants I had that were stain proof. instead of nanotech, it was just microfibers instead. Or are there tiny robots a la star trek nanites in this?
That is cool. The new nightrider 08 car in theory uses "nano technology"
This is a great idea. They need to apply the technology to the rest of the car! Why stop at the windscreen. Heck. Why stop at the car? Imagine all the windows in your house that do not need to be cleaned.