Hyundai Mobis Announces Global Alliance to Develop, Mass Produce Holographic Windshield Displays for Cars

Hyundai Mobis has announced a partnership with three global firms to develop and manufacture next-generation holographic windshield displays (HWDs) for the passenger vehicle market. The next-gen technology projects information and content in high quality onto a car’s windshield, eliminating the need for dedicated screens and placing information within a driver’s line of sight. Commercial applications of this concept could be seen in cars by 2029, according to a press statement.

In addition to South Korea-based Hyundai Mobis which will provide technology including the image projection system, the “quad alliance” will include optical equipment manufacturer Zeiss, adhesive and film company Tesa, and Saint-Gobain Sekurit, a leading producer of automotive glass. 

Hyundai Mobis says it will oversee system design and integration of the overall HWD system, while Zeiss will leverage its optical design capabilities, Tesa will use its expertise in mass production, and Sekurit will handle precision bonding to apply the film to windshield glass. Together, the companies will form a “one-stop” solution including mass production and assembly. According to the company, its previous HWD demonstrations have already received “significant interest” from multiple major potential customers.

The key element of the HWD is a “holographic optical element” (HOE) film laminated onto the glass of a car’s windshield. According to the company, it has a light transmittance level of 92 percent or higher, which is as good as clear glass. Brightness can exceed 10,000 nits, which is adequate for viewing content even against bright sunlight. 

With the entire windshield acting as a giant display surface, Hyundai Mobis says drivers can see instrumentation and essential information at eye level without the need to shift their gaze. Passengers can watch infotainment content of their own including games and videos, rather than using a screen that might distract the driver. The companies also tout the potential space saved by eliminating large screens on a car’s dashboard.