Beyond Self-Dimming: Smart Mirror Makers Seize New Opportunities

Published: February 13, 2013 Category: Glass and Glazing Smart Technology

As NanoMarkets reports in "Opportunities for Smart Mirrors: Self-Dimming and Beyond 2013-2020", the size of the market for smart mirror technologies is already at approximately $1 billion in 2013, and we expect the value to grow to over $3.4 billion by the end of the decade.

Some of this growth will come from increasing deployment of electrochromic self-dimming rear-view mirrors, both interior and exterior versions, like those on the market today from firms like Gentex and Magna. There is an existing, proven demand for these mirrors; they are already found in over one-fifth of new automobiles, and the proportion is expected to steadily grow over the next eight years. In fact, for many years now, the term "smart mirror" has been taken to mean just these self-dimming automotive mirrors.

However, this definition is too narrow, and in any case the markets for these self-dimming auto mirrors are largely sewn up by existing suppliers.

"Smart Mirrors" Rebooted

So for analytical purposes, NanoMarkets believes it is useful to broaden the definition of "smart mirror" to any mirror that is highly functional. Our expanded definition of smart mirror technologies includes not only self-dimming capability, but also self-cleaning and self-repairing systems via layering with various smart materials. It also includes embedded electronics like sensors, displays, and cameras that transform the humble mirror into a sophisticated, electronic device.

The latter - embedded electronics - are of particular importance in the context of smart mirrors, because there is an emerging market for sophisticated "digital mirrors" in automotive, consumer, healthcare, and advertising applications that blur the line between mirror and highly functional computer monitor. Factors that are driving demand for digital smart mirrors are: safety, comfort/convenience, design/style, and marketing.

Digital Mirrors in Automotive Applications

The main driver for adding new electronic functionality to automotive smart mirrors is improved road safety. In fact, today's light-sensor triggered, electrochromic self-dimming smart mirrors already measurably improve safety by reducing driver fatigue and increasing response times. But safety can be further improved with the addition of more sophisticated electronics, including integrated sensor systems, displays, touch capability, Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS, etc.