Reverse engineered tech?

This AM I saw the Toyota comercial trying to wow about their version of rain sensing windshield wipers. Made me want to barf. But, can anyone clue me in on who first developed this feature, and is this another case of reverse engineering ("How they do that? We need that too!")?

BMW didn't invent rain sensing windshield wipers. They have been around for a long time, and my recollection is they were invented by an American inventor, who later sued GM for copying his invention. Here's info on how they work:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/wiper4.htm

Originally Posted by stream

BMW didn't invent rain sensing windshield wipers. They have been around for a long time, and my recollection is they were invented by an American inventor, who later sued GM for copying his invention. Here's info on how they work:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/wiper4.htm

IICRC, the guy actually invented "intermittent wipers" which GM then started using without paying royalties, and then all of the other car companies followed suit. If that is the case, then I don't know who invented and first started using rain sensing wipers.

*I* invented the rain sensing wiper and *I* first started using it on my old Packard...still waiting for those royalty checks, too....

Like nearly every modern automotive technology, the credit usually lies with a big supplier-- not with an indiviudal automaker. Nearly all the stuff that BMW currently brags about (with the exception of engine technologies), are developed by outside suppliers. Sometimes a carmaker will get exclusive rights to a new technology for a certain amount of time, but then be free to sell it to other carmakers.

As for rain sensing wipers, my bet is taht a big supplier like Valeo invented them:
http://www.valeo.com/automotive-supp...ng/en/pid/1040