ZEISS has signed an agreement on a strategic partnership with Hyundai Mobis at the Hyundai Mobis Mabuk Technical Center in Korea. The partnership between ZEISS and Hyundai Mobis aims to help transform the automotive industry through holographic displays in transparent vehicle surfaces. Both companies share a strong vision of revolutionising the automotive user experience (UX), in particular through their collaboration on display and head-up applications, which involves integrating advanced holographic displays into vehicles.
Transformative vision for automotive displays
ZEISS Microoptics’ vision is to bring the multifunctional smart glass technology they developed into every vehicle and every home. Together with Hyundai Mobis, ZEISS wants to establish the first premium-quality transparent holographic display on the automotive market. The partnership also intends to set new and disruptive standards in automotive UX by replacing traditional in-car display technologies. Functional and content-generating transparent surfaces such as windshields and side windows that display safety-critical information and increase comfort are also expected to be introduced.
By integrating the transparent and functional film developed by ZEISS, all important information will be displayed on the transparent in-plane display in the lower windshield. This increases driving safety because drivers can view all information at once without taking their eyes off the road.
Another major advantage of transparent in-plane displays in the windshield is that they enable a totally new and innovative vehicle cockpit design, as they render various warning lights on the dashboard superfluous.
The transparent film and its display function also allow additional comfort, as the entertainment content can be projected directly into the front passenger’s field of view without blocking any visibility outside the vehicle.
Strong foundations for a long-term partnership
The cooperation between ZEISS and Hyundai Mobis harnesses the complementary strengths of the two companies. As a global market leader in optical and optoelectronic technology, ZEISS contributes its extensive expertise in holographic solutions. Hyundai Mobis is one of the world’s leading companies in solutions and products for autonomous driving, connectivity and electrification, so it contributes expertise in system definition and system integration. “We are delighted to be collaborating with Hyundai Mobis. Signing this agreement signals the start of a strategic partnership. With our shared vision and trusting partnership, we are raising the benchmark,” said Dr. Bernhard Ohnesorge, Member of the Management Board of Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH. “Together we will set new standards in the automotive industry and revolutionize the way information is displayed in vehicles.”
ZEISS and Hyundai Mobis have already taken the first steps toward the product development for a transparent windshield display, the Holographic Windshield Display (Holographic HUD) product. Projecting content onto the windshield requires the transparent and functional film developed by ZEISS. This film’s photochemical properties can create different patterns when light hits it, thus enabling videos and images to be viewed. Hyundai Mobis is developing the projector for the Holographic HUD. It will use lenses and reflectors to project content such as videos and images onto a transparent screen.
The companies are planning to take this product into mass production within the next five years. ZEISS and Hyundai Mobis have developed a prototype for the Holographic HUD. This month, they presented it during a demonstration in Germany for international automakers. The partnership is a significant milestone for ZEISS in the development of advanced automotive display technology. It has the potential to transform the driving experience and increase safety and comfort for all users.
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