We have not seen much performance increase with new gliders for couple of decades, other than increased wingloading. I wonder if anyone has run the numbers for glider with FBW steering. I'm thinking of flapped glider with multiple moving segments of flaps (independent servos) and very small rear fuselage/tail, possibly with only minimal elevator (like Genesis2). Designed stability would not be issues as FBW brain would keep nose pointed to where you want all the time, glider could be aerodynamically unstable like modern fighter. Rudder authority would not be issue as yaw could be partly controlled with outboard flaps acting as spoilers, possibly airbrakes could be done with flaps only, FBW would adjust for configuration changes. Probably rudder pedals could be "optional" as FBW could keep "yaw string" centered. No need for control lines or flap mixers. Power for FBW and servos would need few bigger lithium batteries.

I'm visioning glider flying into thermal, where you just press "auto-thermal" and enjoy scenery.