Connected Car | The Glass Age Today | Corning

The future of the auto industry is clear.

Consumers – and the automakers who want to sell to them – are demanding vehicles that are cleaner, safer, and offer an enhanced driving experience.

Corning glass is helping that vision become a reality, and the glistening stage of CES® 2017 provided the perfect showcase.

After a spectacular unveiling ceremony of its glass-enabled concept car at CES, Corning experts spent four days explaining the advantages of Corning® Gorilla® Glass for Automotive to a steady barrage of visitors.

Even casual passersby paused to observe, “That’s Corning? That’s cool!”

Many others made the booth a priority destination at the massive show, and experienced the concept roadster more closely.

Of consistent interest was the elegant, curved center console – complete with colorful displays and a wireless charging station -- that appeared to float in space. 

The aesthetic was one of upscale luxury, but visitors were impressed at the cost-effectiveness of the feature. That’s because Gorilla Glass is produced in flat sheets but is so thin (in the case of this prototype, a mere .7 mm), it can easily withstand the gentle bend radius of the console design without the need for hot molding.

“People really liked the idea of the cold-form process,” said Kevin Morgan, market development and strategy leader for Gorilla Glass for Automotive. “You can get a 3D shape at a 2D cost – and because it’s manufactured flat, it’s easier to ship, easier to cut, and easier to decorate.

“The conversations around the console were great lead-ins to discussions about other multi-dimensional shape possibilities in car interiors.”

Corning began exploring the automotive glass market a few years ago, offering Gorilla Glass as a lightweight option to traditional auto glazing – and, as a result, a way to improve fuel economy and handling.

Auto manufacturers liked that advantage , explained Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Jeff Evenson. And they quickly latched onto other Gorilla Glass attributes that led to its leadership in consumer electronics: Toughness, optical brilliance, and touch sensitivity.

As the auto industry began to incorporate augmented reality features like head-up displays and more smartphone-like experiences, Gorilla Glass surfaces both inside and out offered a clear pathway to a new way of driving.

Today, Gorilla Glass for Automotive is inspiring designers to add new forms and functions to their next-generation automobiles.

“We think that over time, the auto glass market holds significant growth potential for Corning - and we’re excited about the new design applications that continue to evolve,” Evenson said.