McLaren Developing High-Tech Replacement for Wiper Blades
Wiper blades may be a thing of the past if McLaren — maker of the MP4-12C supercar — has its way.
McLaren’s chief designer, Frank Stephenson, told Britain’s Sunday Times the automaker is adapting a system that uses high-frequency sound waves instead of a physical wiper blade to remove water, insects and more from a windshield. Sounding more like a sci-fi force field on a spaceship than anything imaginable in a new car, McLaren says the technology is already used in fighter jets.
Sure, it’s going to be expensive at first, but sign us up for one less stalk on the steering column and no more prying frozen blades from the windshield in zero-degree weather. There’s also the added bonus of better aerodynamics and reduced weight once a wiper motor, blades, arms and linkages are gone.
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