CNA Innovation Award: Holography delivers the future of passenger information
posted on 12th Aug 2026 08:25
The HÜBNER Group and ZEISS Microoptics have received a “Special Recognition” at the CNA Innovation Award 2026 for the development of transparent holographic displays for public transport. At InnoTrans 2026, HÜBNER will present the technology to an international audience in Hall 1.2, Booth 120.
During an official ceremony in Nürnberg, Christian Bernreiter, Bavarian State Minister for Housing, Building and Transport, presented the Special Recognition to Nora Oberländer, Managing Director of the HÜBNER Group, and Dr. Viktor Schütz, Head of Partnership Management at ZEISS Microoptics.
“We are delighted to receive this Special Recognition at the CNA Innovation Award. It confirms that with our HOLO IQ solution, we are taking an important step towards the future of passenger information,” said Nora Oberländer, Managing Director of the HÜBNER Group. “We are bringing this technology to market and are currently conducting field trials with leading public transport operators across Europe. This makes us even more excited to present the next stage of HOLO IQ development at InnoTrans 2026.”
Passenger information directly within the field of view
The HÜBNER Group and ZEISS Microoptics are jointly bringing HOLO IQ to market. The transparent holographic displays transform windows in trains and buses into information surfaces. Arrival times, route information and points of interest along the journey can be projected directly into passengers’ field of view, exactly where they need the information.
The technology uses window and door systems as carriers for holographic films that provide transparency levels of more than 90 %. Comparable OLED systems typically achieve only around 40 % transparency. This high level of transparency allows passengers to maintain a virtually unobstructed view outside while simultaneously receiving travel information.
One of the key advantages of the technology is the space it saves inside the vehicle. A projector transforms the window into a display using the holographic films. Since both the power supply and the required data are already available within the vehicle, integration is simple and space-efficient.
Unlike conventional solutions, there is no need for complex cabling or separate mounting points, which also helps reduce maintenance costs. Integrated directly into the glazing, the technology is protected from external influences. Display quality remains high while preserving visibility through the window. The holographic display technology opens up new opportunities for transport operators through flexible information and advertising concepts.
Integrated Expertise From the HÜBNER Group
To manufacture the holographic optical elements, ZEISS Microoptics uses tunable lasers supplied by HÜBNER Photonics. The holographic films are integrated directly into window systems produced e.g. by Kunststofftechnik Hennigsdorf (KTH), an affiliated company of the HÜBNER Group. The holographic applications can be installed both in new vehicles and as retrofit solutions for existing fleets.
HÜBNER continues to further develop the solution and is already testing HOLO IQ under real operating conditions. Trial applications are currently underway with leading public transport operators in several European countries.
