With its holographic display technology, integrated into the window systems of buses and trains, Zeiss now offers greater comfort on public transit journeys. The Zeiss holographic solutions, which permit smart applications, have now reached market readiness. The Holographic Transparent Display was presented this year for the first time as a near-production prototype in the transportation segment in close collaboration with the Hübner Group, a global system provider for the mobility sector.

The Zeiss technology for holographic applications is directly integrated into window systems and cannot be visually distinguished from conventional windows. Any desired content can be flexibly displayed in the passengers’ field of view. Along with precise information on the next stops, this might include details on nearby shopping opportunities or tourist attractions along the route.

The holographic window systems demonstrate a high transparency performance of over ninety percent along with high temperature resistance and strength. The direct integration of the projection surfaces into the solid window panes also protects against vandalism.

The large-format, transparent window panes in buses and rail vehicles are perfectly suited for the integration of holographic solutions as a basis for presenting interactive content and information. There are basically no limits to the highly customisable content. Every transparent window surface can take on the functions of modern, high-resolution displays and input devices thanks to the Multifunctional Smart Glass technology developed by Zeiss.

Advanced holographic infotainment services not only represent an additional information source for public transit users. By boosting customer satisfaction, they also make a valuable contribution to the mobility transition. This is confirmed, for example, in a study conducted jointly by the rail service operator DB Regio and the Technical University of Darmstadt on the needs of local rail transit passengers and how they seek information. A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering (IESE) also shows that users of local transit increasingly want reliable real-time information on the route and position of vehicles and connecting services.

Zeiss and Hübner will be presenting this public transportation technology at the CES in Las Vegas from January 7 to 10, 2025.