Holographic infotainment services offer passengers a more enjoyable travel experience.

Zeiss applies its advanced holographic display technology to bus and train window systems, enhancing public transportation services for passengers. These holographic solutions are now market-ready and poised for integration into smart applications. This year, near-production prototypes of holographic transparent displays will debut in the transportation sector, a collaboration with HüBNER Group, a global leader in transportation systems.

This cutting-edge display technology requires minimal space and consumes little energy while delivering exceptional image quality, making it an ideal solution for innovative window systems in public transportation. The large, transparent panes of buses and trains are ideal for displaying interactive content and information using this holographic solution. The displayed content can be highly customizable with few restrictions, transforming every transparent window surface into a modern, high-resolution display and interactive device thanks to Zeiss' versatile smart glass technology.

Zeiss and HüBNER will showcase this groundbreaking public transportation technology at CES, held in Las Vegas from January 7 to 10, 2025. At the Zeiss booth (LVCC, North Hall 10149), holographic solution experts will provide detailed introductions to this revolutionary application.

Zeiss and HüBNER Collaborate

to Launch Futuristic Bus and Train Window Systems

With this system, passengers can check the weather forecast, browse discounts for the next stop, or easily book lunch during their journey. Through close collaboration with HüBNER, a global leader in transportation systems, Zeiss integrates its holographic display technology into bus and train window systems, enhancing the travel experience for passengers. This technology offers high-resolution imaging while occupying minimal space and consuming low energy.

Zeiss' Holographic Transparent Displays

Enhance the Public Transportation Experience

Over the past five years, Zeiss has refined its holographic solutions, including holographic transparent displays, to reach market readiness. This year, near-production prototypes of holographic transparent displays debuted in the transportation sector, a result of collaboration with HüBNER Group. Zeiss' display technology requires minimal space, consumes low energy, and delivers exceptional image quality, making it ideal for innovative window systems in public transportation.

Research Confirms: Real-Time Updates Boost Passenger Satisfaction

Advanced holographic infotainment services not only provide additional information to public transportation passengers but also enhance passenger satisfaction, contributing to the transformation of transportation. A study conducted by railway service operator DB Regio AG and Technische Universität Darmstadt highlights the importance of real-time public information for local rail transit passengers. Despite access to travel information on personal devices, over 30% of respondents rely primarily on on-board media for information while riding the train. About 60% hope that on-board media will provide more information during network outages.

A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE) also shows that local public transportation passengers increasingly expect reliable real-time information about vehicle routes, locations, and available services. Despite digital resources, about 63% of respondents find the current information flow unsatisfactory, an issue that holographic information services can address.

Holographic Technology Directly Applied to Window Systems

Zeiss' holographic application technology seamlessly integrates into window systems, offering a visual experience similar to traditional windows. Required content can be flexibly displayed within passengers' fields of vision, including accurate information about the next stop, nearby shopping opportunities, or tourist attractions along the route.

The holographic window system boasts over 90% transparency, heat resistance, and durability. The direct integration of the projection surface with solid window glass also deters vandalism.

A Win-Win for Zeiss and HüBNER

Dr. Viktor Schütz, Head of Partner Management at Zeiss Microscopy, stated, "Our long-term collaboration with HüBNER Group has created a valuable win-win situation for both parties in terms of technology and application. Applying our versatile smart glass technology to large, transparent vehicle windows is ideal for providing interactive services and information. By integrating our holographic technology, the potential applications are virtually limitless, offering public transportation passengers an unprecedented travel experience."

Ingolf Cedra, CEO of HüBNER Group, added, "With holographic optical elements in our window systems, passengers can directly receive important information within their fields of vision. These elements offer significant advantages over traditional technologies like OLED systems. Holographic displays can be retrofitted at any time, consume less energy, and occupy less space within vehicles. Unlike traditional display-based output systems, holographic displays do not rely on expensive, bulky equipment, offering excellent image resolution and brightness."

About Zeiss

Zeiss is a leading international technology enterprise in optics and optoelectronics. In the last fiscal year, the Zeiss Group achieved annual revenue of €10 billion across four business areas: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets (as of September 30, 2023).

As an innovative enterprise, Zeiss develops, produces, and distributes highly innovative industrial metrology and quality solutions, provides microscope solutions for life sciences and materials research, and offers medical technology solutions for ophthalmology and minimally invasive surgery. The name ZEISS is synonymous with world-leading lithography optics used by the chip industry to manufacture semiconductor components. Zeiss products, such as eyeglass lenses, camera lenses, and binoculars, attract global attention and have strong market demand.

With a product portfolio and strong brand aligned with future growth areas like digitization, healthcare, and smart manufacturing, Zeiss shapes the future of technology, continuously driving the development of optics and related fields through its solutions. The company invests significantly in research and development, laying the foundation for Zeiss' success and continued expansion in technological and market leadership. Zeiss invests 15% of its revenue in R&D, a long-standing tradition reflecting a strong commitment to the future.

As of March 31, 2024, Zeiss employed over 44,000 people in nearly 50 countries worldwide, with over 60 sales and service companies, 35 R&D institutions, and 35 production bases. Founded in Jena in 1846, Zeiss is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of Germany's largest foundations for the advancement of science, is the sole owner of Carl Zeiss AG.

About Zeiss Microscopy

Zeiss Microscopy is the world's only tier-one technology supplier of holographic solutions, with products widely used in transportation, home technology, and consumer fields. Its "Versatile Smart Glass" technology can be applied to large-area holographic projection systems, highly integrated cameras in transparent media, and holographic lighting. Zeiss Microscopy offers a complete value chain from optical design and master production to mass production of holographic replication systems. Headquartered in Jena, Germany, Zeiss Microscopy is part of ZEISS Photonics & Optics.

About HüBNER Group

Covering rail transportation, road transportation, material solutions, and photonics, HüBNER Group is a global systems supplier in transportation, industrial, life sciences, and scientific fields. HüBNER is a global leader in gangway systems for rail vehicles and buses, as well as a supplier of chassis technology, driver display solutions, and door sealing and safety materials. Recognized internationally for providing complex solutions using elastomers, insulating materials, and composites, the company has also achieved significant success in laser technology, such as in cancer diagnosis and endoscopy. In 2023, HüBNER Group generated approximately €472 million in revenue and employed approximately 3,500 people worldwide, with over 30 branches globally in addition to its headquarters in Kassel.