With all the modern alternatives to glass, will windshields always remain a certain type of glass? Do space vehicles have glass windows? Seems like cars should be made with the cheap standard option and then alternatives for vehicles taken to challenging environments.
Another thought. Aren't there screens that can be mounted on the front of hoods to catch heavy projectiles before they can get to the windshield? I know there is the popular "bra" which protects the paint job on the front of a vehicle. Seems to me something to protect the glass would be equally valuable.