A pane of auto glass can now do more than keep out wind and rain. Glass produced by Fuyao Glass Industry Group in Fuzhou, Fujian province, China, can be used as a display screen, similar to a computer.
Over the past three decades, Fuyao has been devoted to enhancing its ability to produce innovative, high-end auto glass. The company spends 4 percent of its revenues on research and development and has built nine national research and development platforms, including a centre for academicians.
Overseas, it has built six research and development centres to coordinate global resources in the glass industry.
With its advantages in innovation, the company developed window glass for the high-speed maglev train that rolled off the production line last year in Qingdao, Shandong province.
The train, with a designed top speed of 600 kilometres per hour, is currently the world’s fastest commercial ground vehicle, and it has stringent requirements for its windows.
Fuyao developed glass for the train by adjusting the internal structure of the material, which not only reduced the weight but enables passengers to touch the window to adjust the light.
Along with the rapid development of digital technologies in China, the company started a smart manufacturing project in 2021.
According to the company, one of every three cars produced worldwide uses Fuyao glass.