ZEISS presents hologram technology at IAA MOBILITY

Augmented reality head-up display for more safety and comfort  

Components from ZEISS, a supplier of microoptical and holographic optical solutions, have been used in space missions by ESA and NASA for many years. And augmented reality head-up displays (HUD) for aircraft cockpits based on ZEISS "Multifunctional Smart Glass" technology are about to enter the market. Now ZEISS also wants to make driving safer, more interactive and more comfortable.  

ZEISS combines greater safety with more design freedom  

Safety technologies have top priority in automotive development. These include driver assistance systems that use visual cues to warn drivers of potential hazards or help them plan their routes. However, the information usually appears in the instrument cluster or on the display of the infotainment system, temporarily taking the driver's eyes off the road. A holographic solution from ZEISS that projects the information into the driver's field of vision can help.   

Ultra-compact, holographic Augmented Reality HUDs project information onto the windshield, helping to capture important information even faster. They can virtually project an entire field of view onto the road. This is based on a combination of different microscopic structures.   

Industrialization enables mass market adaptation  

Until now, augmented reality HUDs based on hologram technology could only be produced in limited quantities due to the high technical requirements. The replication technology developed by ZEISS now makes it possible to duplicate a master hologram fully automatically in large quantities. ZEISS has succeeded in developing particularly compact and lightweight components that save space, weight and resources.   

 At the heart of the ZEISS technology is a polymer film on which ultra-high-precision optics are mounted in a very small space. The film is characterized by a high transparency of more than 92 percent combined with maximum clarity and also enables vehicle manufacturers to use holographic technology in their vehicles where space, weight and cost previously did not allow it.  

The benefits are numerous: For example, bringing important information into the driver's direct field of vision allows for a completely new cockpit design. While the driver sees only relevant information, the passenger can have entertainment content projected on the screen. The side and rear windows can also be completely customized with colors, symbols and other memorable images.   

ZEISS at the IAA MOBILITY 

ZEISS is presenting its "Multifunctional Smart Glass" technology at this year's IAA MOBILITY in Munich in Hall B2, Booth B12. Usage scenarios for transparent displays and application examples of holographic 3D human machine interfaces (HMI) as well as tail lights for vehicles will complete the presentation at the IAA MOBILITY.