Hyundai Mobis and ZEISS Partnership Paves the Way for Drone and eVTOL Innovation

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA — Hyundai Mobis and ZEISS have announced a groundbreaking partnership to develop transparent holographic windshield displays, a technology that could soon redefine both automotive and aerial mobility. While initially designed for vehicles, experts suggest this innovation has far-reaching implications for drones, eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft), and urban air mobility (UAM) networks.

A Leap Forward in Holographic Display Technology

The collaboration between Hyundai Mobis, a leader in automotive components and mobility solutions, and ZEISS, a world-renowned optics and optoelectronics firm, aims to integrate transparent HUD (Head-Up Display) technology directly into windshields. This augmented reality-based system projects key navigation and safety data onto the glass, providing drivers with seamless access to real-time information without distraction.

However, as Hyundai continues to expand its aviation footprint—including the development of drone taxis and eVTOL solutions—the impact of this technology could extend far beyond automobiles.

A Game-Changer for Urban Air Mobility and Drone Operations

Industry analysts suggest that Hyundai’s drone and eVTOL division could adapt this holographic display system for pilots, drone operators, and autonomous air traffic control systems. This could revolutionize the way urban air taxis, delivery drones, and emergency response UAVs are operated.

Here’s how the technology could transform the drone and eVTOL sectors:

1. Transparent HUDs for eVTOL Pilots

Similar to automobile windshields, eVTOL aircraft cockpits could integrate transparent HUD displays, allowing pilots to view altitude, navigation, airspace alerts, and weather conditions in real time—without the need for conventional screens.

2. Enhanced Remote Drone Operations

Professional drone pilots, including those operating in infrastructure inspection, logistics, and surveillance, often rely on FPV (First-Person View) monitors for navigation. Integrating ZEISS holographic display technology into FPV drone goggles or ground control stations could allow operators to access telemetry data, obstacle warnings, and flight paths without diverting their eyes from the drone.

3. Improved Situational Awareness for AI-Driven Drone Swarms

In disaster response, air ambulance operations, and security monitoring, drone swarms are being increasingly utilized for complex missions. Augmented reality overlays powered by transparent HUDs could give drone coordinators a clearer, real-time 3D visualization of their fleet, terrain mapping, and mission-critical alerts.

4. Smart Glass for Drone Air Traffic Management

As cities prepare for urban air mobility (UAM) integration, airspace monitoring systems will require live oversight of multiple eVTOLs and UAVs. The Hyundai Mobis-ZEISS system could provide transparent holographic airspace control panels, giving vertiport operators, air traffic controllers, and autonomous fleet managers a real-time view of drone corridors and flight permissions.

Hyundai’s Growing Influence in the Aerospace Sector

Hyundai is no stranger to the drone and UAM industry. Through its advanced Supernal division, the company has been aggressively developing next-generation eVTOL aircraft and urban air mobility solutions. This new HUD collaboration with ZEISS could further accelerate Hyundai’s ambitions to lead the aerial mobility revolution, offering a smoother, safer, and more intuitive piloting experience.

The Future: A Merging of Automotive and Aerospace Technologies

As automotive and aerospace industries continue to converge, holographic HUD technology could become a standard feature in both next-generation smart cars and future air taxis. Hyundai’s investment in holographic smart glass, eVTOL development, and drone integration suggests a bold vision for interconnected transportation, where vehicles and aerial systems seamlessly share real-time data through advanced augmented reality interfaces.

With Hyundai and ZEISS at the forefront of this innovation, the future of urban mobility—on both the ground and in the sky—has never looked clearer.