Something that almost every driver can relate to is how visibility from the driver's seat is obscured due to the troublesome but necessary A-pillars that house the car's windshield. On newer cars, this is more of an issue as they have to boast a certain thickness to meet modern safety standards. As cars get closer to full autonomy, this issue will be less important, but for the time being, a solution for this annoying blind spot would be helpful.

General Motors thinks it has the ideal solution to this problem with a revolutionary transparent A-pillar. As detailed in a new patent filing, GM envisions a "novel fiber-reinforced composite A-pillar that includes one or more designed openings impregnated with a transparent resin or composite. "

To maximize the visibility, GM's patent suggests that the opening in the pillar will cover a width of 3.15 inches and a height of 15.7 inches at most. In order to maximize visibility at all times, the filing suggests that wires with a density of at least 0.5 watts per square inch can run through the transparent material for defogging and deicing purposes, with the electrical wiring to be embedded into the clear material - whatever that may be - during the molding process. With the right material, current could also be used to manipulate the opacity of the pillar, preventing unwanted glare during sunrises and sunsets, for example.

To enhance structural strength, the pillar support could be interwoven with carbon fiber or something similar, and numerous layers of the pillar material could also be stacked for greater robustness of the pillar. Remember, this is part of the structure that keeps your head safe in the event of a rollover.

There's no indication that the proposed design feature will infringe on any current safety standards so it's reasonable to expect that it could be seriously considered for future GM products. Now that GM is fast-tracking the production of its digital-era cars, premiered by the likes of the Cadillac Lyriq and company, don't be surprised if this idea gets introduced relatively soon.