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McLaren aims to replace windscreen wipers with sound waves

The technology used would create tiny vibrations that would prevent any water or dirt from resting on the windscreen.

BRITISH CAR COMPANY McLaren is working on replacing windscreen wipers with an ultrasonic device that will prevent dirt from sticking to the screen.

The company is working a high-frequency electronic system that would pump sound waves, outside the range of human hearing, through the windscreen and create tiny vibrations.

These vibrations would prevent water, mud and any dirt from resting on the glass, keeping the glass clean.

McLaren is keeping the design a secret, but it believes that the technology will improve vehicle efficiency by removing the weight of wiper motors.

The chief designer for McLaren, Frank Stephenson, told the Sunday Times that the idea came from the military, and him wondering why fighter jets didn’t have wipers attached.

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 feature could be introduced in to McLaren’s range of cars by 2015, and if successful, could be adopted by mass produced cars soon after.

Read: Ford reveals its first self-driving research car >

Read: Unhappy campers: VW announces the end of the line for iconic ‘Bus’ >

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28 Comments
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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:40 PM

    Look underneath this crime, they were breeding dogs to sell pups and making money from it. So all you people out there, buying puppies for their little ones and getting rid of them afterwards. You played a part in this crime, stop buying puppies/kittens FFS and put this sick trade out of business.

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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:43 PM

    @Stephen murphy: well at least thats 3 backstreet dog breeders out of business. Imagine how they treated the animals ?

    68
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    Mute Michael J
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:57 PM

    Stephen talking BS as usual. He thinks little kids who want a dog are somehow complicit in this man killing his partner in crime. Priceless.

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    Mute Mick Jordan
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:04 PM

    Michael J. It’s not the Kids that fork out the Hundreds of Euro but the parents.

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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:06 PM

    @Michael J: the killing was the result of degenerates who profited on the back of unregulated animal breeding. hopefully social welfare looks for their dole to be repaid back.

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Mar 6th 2017, 6:34 PM

    @Michael J: If that’s true, then it takes a bs to know one and have you not the intelligence to see it’s the parents who buy the pets?

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    Mute tea biccies
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:55 PM

    I knew Mr. Nevin. He was no saint. Him and his buddies kicked a man to death not very long ago

    48
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    Mute Patrick Pints
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    Mar 6th 2017, 8:30 PM

    @tea biccies: karma eh

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    Mute HoneyBadger617
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:20 PM

    It just goes to show you the type of people these are. Killing a man over a dog. Behind bars and in a cage they are where they belong

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    Mute Ananya Sharma
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    Mar 6th 2017, 3:10 PM

    Ruff justice has been served.

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    Mute beans not peas
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:04 PM

    That’s woof justice

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    Mute Gary Rowe
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    Mar 6th 2017, 1:40 PM

    Why the gavel? You know they’re not used here …

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Mar 6th 2017, 2:10 PM

    Anyone who gets involved in an horrific incident like this involving a dog is barking mad.

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    Mute John003
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    Mar 6th 2017, 3:03 PM

    Amazed the judge did not rule final.two years of sentence suspended……Must be the harshest sentence for manslaughter ever….Normally it is 7 with 2 suspended…

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    Mute Emmet O'Keeffe
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    Mar 6th 2017, 4:22 PM

    A sad reflection on the mindset of many young Irishmen these days.
    One man dead, one serving life for murder and a third sent down for manslaughter.
    Why?
    War?
    A tribal dispute?
    Land?
    Religion?
    No.
    A few quid from dog breeding.

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    Mute DirectlyElectedMayor
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    Mar 7th 2017, 4:56 PM
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