Automotive smart glass a luxury product destined for everyday use

The global smart glass market is set to grow to $2.1 billion by 2019, but the sectors primarily driving this growth are expected to change in the coming years.

The use of smart glass in electrochromic mirrors currently dominates the automotive applications of smart glass, accounting for 90% of revenue in this area. This is unsurprising given both the use and novelty value of auto-dimming mirrors, which enhance driver safety by reducing glare from the sun.

In the future, however, it is expected that the percentage of the market held by electrochromic mirrors will drop to around 67%. This is predicted to take place by 2019.

The shift is largely attributable to the increasing variety of smart glass applications. While they sound like items from science-fiction, self-cleaning, self-repairing and self-dimming kinds of glass are all set to become commonplace features in cars.

Further, the use of smart glass is fuelled by advantages beyond safety and convenience. Smart glass can lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency. For example, in their regular state, electrochromic windows can reflect back nearly all light that falls on them.

This means that they can regulate the temperatures inside cars, preventing them from getting too hot and reducing the need for air conditioning systems. Self-tinting glass will continue to see popularity in the auto sector for smart glass, but the technology is rapidly advancing.

German car maker Mercedes recently unveiled its luxury Maybach S 600 sedan, equipped with a panoramic roof that uses SPD-SmartGlass technology patented by Research Frontiers Inc. This "magic sky control" feature allows passengers to activate the glass tint with the push of a button, increasing the convenience of the electrochromic option.

While the Mercedes is a high-end car, the market for self-tinting glass is expected to reach a value of around $240 million by 2020, suggesting it will begin to make headway beyond luxury consumers.

Further, although the cost of electrochromic and other forms of smart glass is currently high, this will change. Improved technology will eventually alllow firms to offer better value products.

It is these changes that are expected to spur the market towards further growth. The possible applications of smart glass technology in the automotive industry are numerous and fall in line with global trends in favour of high tech, energy efficient products. Although it may currently be a luxury product, smart glass will become the kind of luxury to which we become accustomed.

Interested in other smart glass opportunities in the automotive industry? Read our latest research: Automotive Smart Glass Market