Revolutionizing the Automotive Display Industry
Hyundai Mobis, a global leader in automotive electronics and cutting-edge technologies, has entered a strategic partnership with ZEISS, the world-renowned German optical company, to jointly develop the innovative Holographic Windshield Display (Holographic HUD). This groundbreaking technology transforms the vehicle’s windshield into a transparent display screen, providing drivers with a fully immersive and seamless driving experience. The collaboration aims to redefine the future of in-car infotainment, navigation, and safety systems by converging automotive electronic systems with ZEISS’ precision optical technology.
A New Era of In-Car Displays
The Holographic HUD system, currently in development, marks a monumental shift in the automotive industry. By using the windshield as a transparent display, Hyundai Mobis and ZEISS aim to provide drivers with an unobstructed view of essential driving information, including speed, navigation routes, and safety alerts. Unlike traditional head-up displays (HUD), which only show basic data like speed and directions, the Holographic HUD will allow for a far more immersive and comprehensive display of content.
What makes this technology truly revolutionary is its ability to display a variety of infotainment features. Passengers can watch movies, enjoy games, or even participate in video calls—all while maintaining a seamless connection to the driver’s system. The design integrates intuitive functionality, ensuring that while the driver receives real-time, critical data, passengers enjoy entertainment without interfering with the driver’s field of view.
Safety and Functionality Combined
One of the key advantages of the Holographic HUD is its focus on safety. With the new system, drivers can view all important information at once, without having to take their eyes off the road or significantly move their gaze. This innovation aims to improve situational awareness, allowing drivers to make better decisions and react faster to changing conditions, all while maintaining a safer and more comfortable driving experience.
In addition to improving driver safety, the Holographic HUD will also change the way the car interior is designed. Traditional vehicles require various physical displays and controls mounted on the dashboard, often cluttering the front of the cabin and obstructing the view. With the transparent, display-integrated windshield, Hyundai Mobis envisions an open, clean interior with fewer distractions and a more streamlined design, resulting in a better driving experience for both drivers and passengers.
A Technological Synergy Between Hyundai Mobis and ZEISS
Hyundai Mobis and ZEISS are joining forces, combining their expertise in automotive electronics and optical technology to create groundbreaking innovations. Hyundai Mobis, known for its expertise in system integration, will take the lead in developing the projector—a crucial element of the Holographic HUD system. The projector will use advanced optical lenses to project content such as videos, images, and driving data onto the transparent windshield. For this to be effective, the projector system must be miniaturized and optimized for the passenger vehicle environment, ensuring minimal noise and efficient thermal management.
ZEISS, on the other hand, brings its wealth of experience in optics and microoptics to the project. As a leading provider of advanced holographic-optical solutions, ZEISS will develop and supply the transparent display technology. The film that will be applied to the windshield must be extremely thin, measuring less than 100 micrometers (about 0.1mm), and it will use photochemical properties to create dynamic patterns and images when illuminated by the projector.
The combined efforts of these two industry giants will ensure that the Holographic HUD technology not only meets the highest standards of performance but also has the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry. The technology has already undergone initial testing, with a prototype created and demonstrated to key automaker clients, showcasing the potential of this future-oriented display system.
Mass Production by 2027
Hyundai Mobis and ZEISS are aiming for mass production of the Holographic HUD system by 2027. The companies are already working closely on the first stages of development, with detailed plans in place for the next few years. With this innovation, Hyundai Mobis hopes to be at the forefront of the next generation of automotive displays, combining functionality, safety, and entertainment in an unprecedented way.
The Holographic HUD system is part of Hyundai Mobis’ broader strategy to lead the automotive sector into the future. The company has a history of technological breakthroughs, including the development of rollable displays and swivel displays for vehicles. At CES 2024, Hyundai Mobis also unveiled a transparent display featuring holographic optical elements, reinforcing its position as a leader in automotive display technologies.
Global Market Potential for Holographic HUD
The market potential for Holographic HUD technology is immense. According to forecasts by the international market research firm OMDIA, the worldwide market for Holographic HUDs is expected to grow rapidly, with an estimated 7 million units expected to be sold by 2030. This expansion suggests that the Holographic HUD will become a key feature in future vehicles, offering a next-generation display experience that will be highly sought after by both automakers and consumers alike.
Expanding Beyond the Windshield: A Vision for the Future
Jung Soo-kyung, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Mobis’ Automotive Electronics Business Unit, commented on the partnership, saying, “This collaboration with ZEISS represents a significant milestone in our efforts to integrate advanced optical technology with automotive electronics. We see this technology as just the beginning. In the future, we plan to expand our efforts to include holographic displays for vehicle interiors and exteriors, as well as the development of 3D rear lamps.”
Hyundai Mobis is committed to pioneering automotive technologies that provide smarter, safer, and more enjoyable driving experiences. By combining the best of optical innovation and automotive systems, the company is shaping the future of mobility.