Windshields and auto glass are designed to contribute to safety, design, sophistication and in the coming years, a lot more.

Windshields, too, have joined the innovation party.

They are being fabricated with stronger, thinner and more lightweight materials. Like carbon fiber, glass is becoming strong enough to contend for structural roles.

Not only will car designers start using more of it, but glass is being used as an interface to run entire Internet of Things (IoT) systems, from entertainment to cloud connectivity, from 3D imaging to vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

Here are six trends showing a clear view on the future of auto glass:

(Photo: iStock)

1. Say goodbye to headlights and sun visors

We already have rain sensors in windshields that activate wiper blades when water is detected.

The sandwich layer or the bonding space between the two panes of glass that typically comprise an auto windshield has the potential for other innovations.

In the future we'll see the same photochromic dyes that dynamically cause vision lens [eye glasses] to darken when exposed to sunlight and lighten in the shade, applied to windshields. This type of glass adjusts to current light conditions. Adding another layer of driver protection is the potential for windshields to block harmful ultraviolet radiation. Studies show that consumers are willing to pay a premium for this kind of sun and glare blocking.

Speaking of glare, imagine never having to turn on your headlights or switch to high beams. Engineers well versed in nano technologies are already discussing ways to incorporate military style night vision capability using thermal imaging. This would allow drivers to literally see in the dark.

(Photo: iStock)

2. Vehicle communications

Before we can navigate without lights, road vehicles of all kinds will adapt solar panel technology to not only power hybrids and electrics, but to replace or augment alternators for charging batteries and to supply the needed power for new services.

A thin layer of photovoltaic cells could conceivably cover the hood, roof and trunk or flatbed, providing energy to more sophisticated GPS units that share info beyond map directions. Vehicles will be able to share traffic data compiled from all vehicles in the same geo location. The U.S. Department of Transportation is testing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications on 3,000 cars and trucks in Ann Arbor, Mich., and claims the technology can improve safety.

Another application for V2V and smart windshields involves vehicle-to-cloud (storage) uploading and data sharing, allowing cars to talk with each other, sharing info on road closures and detours, accident sights, traffic bottlenecks and other road hazards.