Zeiss Microoptics has entered the aviation market with display technologies for both aircraft cabins and cockpits, unveiling the systems at the Farnborough International Airshow. The cabin concept is a transparent display designed to let passengers view information such as destination and weather while preserving a clear outside view, while the cockpit concept is a compact head-up display aimed at reducing installation volume for aircraft with limited space.
The cabin display is built around high transmittance, with Zeiss claiming more than 90% light transmission. In the cockpit, the company is targeting business aviation and other aircraft types with a head-up display architecture that combines a picture generating unit and a waveguide. Zeiss puts the full system volume at about 5 litres, compared with roughly 40 litres for a classical PGU, and says the design cuts packaging volume by 80%.
The cockpit concept also carries a 42 x 28 degree field of view. The demonstrations position Zeiss’ microoptics work toward smaller, data-rich interfaces for both passenger information systems and pilot displays as airlines and aircraft makers continue to look for more compact avionics and cabin digitalisation options.