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.