- Intelligent add-on gadget fixes the 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5’s lack of a rear wiper.
- Known as the GeckoWiper, it was developed in Switzerland.
- It attaches to the rear window with a suction cup and a magnet.
The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 has quite a bit going for it. It’s comfortable, has loads of area, it seems cool, it’s fairly environment friendly, it has as much as 303 miles of vary and if you happen to ask round, it’s decently priced. What it doesn’t have, nonetheless, is a rear window wiper.
With a hatchback-like physique, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than the rear window will get coated when it’s raining. However whereas that may not be such a giant deal, it will get worse when it’s snowing and you may’t see something behind.
Hyundai added a rear wiper on the 2025 Ioniq 5, however that also leaves tens of 1000’s of older Ioniq 5s with out a wiper–each in the USA and abroad. Nevertheless, a fairly intelligent repair is within the works.
It’s referred to as the GeckoWiper and it’s merely a detachable, battery-powered rear wiper that may be activated by way of a magnetic distant management. Developed in Switzerland by an unbiased tinkerer from Tigs Design & Engineering GmbH, the challenge is being funded by way of Kickstarter however with 29 days left till the funding interval ends, the GeckoWiper has already satisfied folks to pledge over $45,000–$34,000 greater than the purpose.
The detachable wiper attaches to the rear window with a suction cup and, as an added layer of safety, a magnet retains it in place from the within. The built-in rechargeable battery can final for about six months on standby, which is quite a bit, and when it runs dry, the proprietor can simply take off the wiper and plug in a USB Sort-C cable to high it off.
The challenge kicked off in 2022 and the primary prototypes have been made a 12 months later. The Kickstarter marketing campaign, which is able to finish in November, goals to carry the product to mass manufacturing, with the primary deliveries slated for February of subsequent 12 months.
Despite the fact that the GeckoWiper is marketed as an answer for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, it is also fitted to different wiper-less vehicles such because the Tesla Mannequin Y and Mannequin 3, Polestar 2, Kia EV6 and Genesis GV60. The developer mentioned that model-specific variations of the GeckoWiper are within the works, with specifics just like the arm and blade measurement, compression pressure, wiping angle and finish stops needing fine-tuning for every automotive.
Pricing begins at roughly $500 with worldwide transport obtainable, however if you wish to get in on the motion, there’s nonetheless a suggestion with 20% off on Kickstarter, which comes out at about $435.