The least enjoyable moments while driving occur when sunlight shines through the windshield at just the right angle. Suddenly it becomes almost impossible to discern the world around you, which can cause problems for yourself and everyone else on the road. And while nearly all commercial vehicles have been equipped with sun visors for decades, the overall design has remained largely unchanged. But one company is offering automakers a new take on a tried-and-true accessory. It’s a translucent, auto-dimming, anti-glare visor for the driver and passengers.
Designers at Michigan-based company Gentex are no strangers to this concept. as the drive They explained that they are responsible for some of the first auto-dimming rearview mirrors in the 1980s, as well as many current versions of digital rearview mirrors. Gentex first introduced an early version of its dimmable transparent lenses in 2023; latest iteration Contains many new features. As well as touchscreen controls on the dashboard to reduce glare when needed, the visor transitions into a vanity mirror via a special reflective layer, along with a transparent screen that provides real-time alerts and notifications. You can also.
The visor and sunroof variants are based on a concept known as electrochromatism, where certain materials darken in response to exposure to electricity. This typically involved the production of tempered glass impregnated with metal oxides, most often tungsten oxide. However, Gentex products instead use an organic material called viologen. They offer similar hue-changing properties, but are often cheaper, less toxic, and easier to recycle. Gentex’s Viologen-powered “smart windows” are already in use in some regions. boeing 787 aircraftbut for now the sun visor variant remains one of the many prototypes to be showcased at CES 2025.
It’s easy to imagine scenarios where the eye-level panels of smart glasses packed with high-tech features become unintentionally distracting. At the same time, when used responsibly, they can actually provide drivers with visibility that traditional visors prevent. But for now, it’s up to car designers to decide whether Gentex’s latest ideas will make it into next-generation vehicles.
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