--- title: "GM Patents a Self-Cleaning Touchscreen to Automatically Remove Fingerprint Smudges" description: "A new GM patent filing shows off a potential new technology that would let touchscreen clean fingerprints on their own." date: "2023-02-20" modified: "2023-02-20" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-patents-a-self-cleaning-touchscreen-to-automatically-remove-fingerprint-smudges" categories: - "GM News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # GM Patents a Self-Cleaning Touchscreen to Automatically Remove Fingerprint Smudges ![]() GM is about to eliminate one of the most troubling issues facing the automotive industry today: fingerprints. Touchscreens look horrific once they're polka-dotted with greasy smudges and because modern car interiors feature such big touchscreens, it's worse than ever. Keeping those screens clean is exhausting, and I'm always losing microfiber cloths, but [GM]() has patented a way for the car to clean them for you. This new [GM patent filing ]()unearthed by *[Auto Evolution]()* features a new self-cleaning touchscreen that can remove greasy fingerprints on its own, whenever the driver chooses. How it works is ingenious. The idea is to fit the touchscreen with additional violet micro-LEDs that create an invisible ultraviolet wavelength. The screen is then coated with a transparent photocatalyst layer that, when combined with the UV light from the LEDs and the moisture in the air, creates a chemical reaction that breaks down the oils from the fingerprints. Once the oils and grease are broken down, they evaporate, making the fingerprints disappear. The patent doesn't say exactly what sort of catalyst is in the transparent screen layer but it does say that it's some sort of metal oxide. ![]() While this is new to automotive touchscreens, this same chemical reaction is used to clean and protect solar panels, which are fitted with similar photocatalyst layers. On solar panels, that photocatalyst combines with sunlight to create the same effect, which is able to kill bacteria, fungi, and break down oils. However, a car interior isn't always exposed to sunlight, which is why GM used violet micro-LEDs to recreate the effects of UV light. So the car can actually self-clean the touchscreen at night, ridding itself of fingerprints and removing bacteria while you're sleeping, so you have a nice clean touchscreen when you get into your car the next morning. Or, as the driver, you could choose to use the system at any time. This tech is still in its patent phase, so don't expect it to be on any GM product anytime soon. However, it seems like a no-brainer. A touchscreen that cleans fingerprints by itself, seemingly by magic, without me having to wipe it with a microfiber cloth 600 times a day? Shut up, GM, and take my money. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()