Turkish glass manufacturing giant Şişecam has officially introduced its first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) smart glass project, designed specifically for the panoramic roof of the Togg T10F electric fastback. The innovative system features a regionally dimmable glass structure capable of switching between transparent and smoked states, providing active light control across distinct sections of the vehicle’s roof. By integrating advanced electro-optical capabilities directly into the glass surface, the technology offers an alternative to traditional mechanical fabric blinds, marking a major milestone in local automotive supplier capabilities.
The Togg T10F, an all-electric fastback model designed as the second major vehicle in Turkey’s national EV lineup, is slated to incorporate this domestically developed surface technology within its cabin architecture. According to Şişecam, the project represents the company’s first direct smart glass solution tailored specifically for an automotive manufacturer at the original equipment production level, consolidating component design, electronics engineering, and vehicle integration into a unified development effort.
How Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal Technology Operates
The foundational mechanism powering the Togg T10F’s smart roof relies on Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology. This advanced material configuration places a specialized film containing suspended liquid crystal droplets between two protective layers of glass. The optical properties of these liquid crystals alter dynamically depending on whether an electrical current is actively applied through the conductive layers of the glass assembly.
When no electrical current passes through the system, the liquid crystals remain in a naturally scattered, unaligned state. In this unpowered condition, incoming light rays strike the randomly oriented crystals and refract in multiple directions. This light scattering prevents direct transparency, transforming the glass into a dark, smoked, or fumé appearance that blocks visual penetration from the outside and diffuses ambient sunlight entering the vehicle interior.
When an electrical voltage is applied across the smart glass layer, the electric field forces the liquid crystals to align uniformly in a parallel direction. In this aligned state, light passes directly through the liquid crystal matrix without scattering, turning the panel transparent. This transition between opacity and clarity occurs rapidly, allowing the vehicle’s occupants to adjust light levels and visibility on demand without relying on mechanical moving parts.
Independent Regional Control Redefines Cabin Comfort
What sets Şişecam’s smart glass solution apart from conventional electrochromic or single-zone liquid crystal roofs is its ability to operate regionally. Rather than forcing the entire panoramic roof to shift uniformly between transparent and dark states, the glass surface is subdivided into multiple independently controlled zones.
This zonal functionality allows front and rear occupants to customize their immediate overhead environment based on individual preferences or changing sun angles. For example, the glass section situated directly above the front driver and passenger seats can remain completely transparent to maximize natural light and maintain an open cabin feel, while the section covering the rear seating area can be switched to a darkened state to protect rear passengers from direct solar glare or enhance privacy.
By providing localized control over solar illumination and glare, the regional smart glass system effectively eliminates the need for a conventional sliding fabric sunshade. Traditional panoramic sunroofs typically require heavy mechanical tracks, electric motors, and rolled shade assemblies mounted beneath the glass frame to shield occupants from heat and brightness. Removing these physical components frees up overhead space, contributes to interior streamlining, and eliminates the mechanical weight and potential wear points associated with traditional sunshade systems.
Proprietary Electronic Control Unit and Vehicle System Integration
The scope of Şişecam’s development extends beyond the physical glass panels and liquid crystal layers. To ensure seamless interaction between the roof structure and the vehicle’s broader digital architecture, Şişecam engineered a proprietary Electronic Control Unit (ECU) specifically designed to govern the smart glass system.
The custom-designed ECU acts as the communications bridge between the liquid crystal matrix and the central computing network of the Togg T10F. Through this integrated unit, command signals generated by the driver or passengers are translated into precise electrical currents fed directly into the corresponding sections of the glass roof. The system allows users to adjust light transmission levels through the vehicle’s central infotainment displays or via built-in voice commands, fully embedding the glass functionality into the car’s digital user interface.
Şişecam emphasized that managing every phase of the project internally was critical to delivering a production-ready OEM component. The company managed the entire pipeline—spanning fundamental material science, liquid crystal formulation, electronic control hardware, software protocol development, vehicle integration, and official automotive homologation processes—under a single corporate framework. This end-to-end approach ensures that the smart glass meets rigid automotive safety, thermal endurance, and regulatory standards required for mass-market vehicle deployment.
Bringing Premium Smart Glass to the C-Segment Electric Market
Historically, active dimming smart glass roofs—such as those utilizing electrochromic or PDLC technology—have been restricted primarily to luxury, high-end, or low-volume flagship vehicles due to the high costs of manufacturing and electronic integration. Bringing localized electro-optical glass technology to a C-segment vehicle like the Togg T10F represents a notable shift, making advanced cabin control features accessible within a broader market category.
In Togg’s current equipment documentation for the T10F fastback, a continuous panoramic glass roof is designated as an optional feature. According to reporting from yuzde100yerli.com, this optional panoramic specification is expected to feature Şişecam’s smart dimming technology, offering prospective buyers an upgraded roof experience directly from the factory option list.
The collaboration between Togg and Şişecam underscores a growing push toward full domestic supply chain integration within Turkey’s automotive sector. By sourcing both the specialized glass manufacturing and the underlying electronic hardware locally, the partnership demonstrates the capacity of domestic suppliers to deliver complex, high-technology components that match global OEM standards. As final equipment packages, option pricing, and rollout schedules for the Togg T10F fastback are confirmed, the regionally dimmable smart roof is expected to stand out as one of the key technological highlights available to consumers.
