Why car windscreen wipers may be replaced by fighter jet technology

The technology vibrates water off the car and could cost just £10.

16:30 16 December 2013

Supercar maker McLaren has announced that it may use fighter jet technology to replace traditional windscreen wipers in upcoming road vehicles.

Copying existing technology adopted in military aviation, the device fires ultrasonic soundwaves across the windscreen. It could cost as little as £10 and be in operation by 2015, eliminating the need for traditional wipers.

McLaren’s chief designer Frank Stephenson said: “It took a lot of effort to get this out of a source in the military.

“I asked why you don’t see wipers on some aircraft when they are coming in at very low speeds for landing.

“I was told that it’s not a coating on the surface but a high frequency electronic system that never fails and is constantly active.

“Nothing will attach to the windscreen.”

The technology works in the same manner as ones used by dentists to remove plaque from teeth and the doctors scanning unborn babies.