A cold gust of wind immediately hits your skin as you step out of the door of the Vilotel Hotel in Oberkochen, Germany. Temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius mark the beginning of autumn in the city which is around 200 km from Munich.
Oberkochen is a small, cozy and quiet town, which is home to the Zeiss headquarters. It looks calm, but holds great history and innovation in the field of optics. Gizmologi, invited by Vivo Indonesia, rushed to board the bus that had been prepared to take us to our main destination: the Zeiss headquarters and museum.
Also read: Collaboration with ZEISS, Vivo's New Breakthrough Strengthens Smartphone Camera Capabilities
After a short journey, we arrived at the majestic yet elegant Zeiss building. It was here that the company founded by Carl Zeiss developed into one of the pioneers in the world of optics and optoelectronics.
We were greeted by a team from Zeiss who guided the tour. Where the company's history is showcased in various forms, from the first optical instruments ever created, to the cutting-edge technology now used throughout the world.
Zeiss, A Long History of a Lens
In the museum, we are invited to trace the long journey of Zeiss since its inception. Dr. Kurt Becker, physicist and retired Zeiss scientist was our museum tour guide. Ia menjelaskan bahwa tujuan darididirikannya museum adalah untuk memperkenalkan kepada semua pengunjung tentang semua lini produk optik Zeiss.
Carl Zeiss started his business in Jena, Germany, as a small workshop producing precision tools and optical instruments. From the beginning, the company's vision was to create revolutionary optical technology. In 1876, Ernst Abbe, a young scientist, joined Carl Zeiss and became a strategic partner.
Both laid the foundation for multinational companies in a more innovative direction. Together, they created optical systems that helped accelerate a variety of scientific advances, including the development of a microscope used to identify tuberculosis bacteria.
The company was originally founded in Jena, East Germany. Carl Zeiss's headquarters moved to Oberkochen, a historical event during the Second World War. Where the United States Army relocated facilities and senior employees to West Germany.
Kurt Becker explains how lens technology has evolved over time. One of the proud moments for Zeiss is their contribution to the medical and scientific world. For example, Zeiss' microscope helped Nobel Prize-winning scientist Robert Koch discover the tuberculosis bacteria, a major medical discovery that saved millions of lives.
The company was also a pioneer in the production of lenses for cinema cameras, with many major Hollywood films being shot using Zeiss lenses. Some of them even won Oscar awards such as Barry Lyndon, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and James Bond: Skyfall.
Technology and Quality in Every Detail
After touring the museum, we were taken to an area that was very important for the development of optical technology, namely the cinema camera lens production line. Josef Kohnle, Senior Director of Operations at ZEISS who has worked at the company since 1986, is the guide for this tour.
“Zeiss prioritizes quality over quantity. We focus more on creating premium products, so we do not mass produce lenses,” he said.
He claims that Zeiss cinema lenses are very reliable in capturing various different situations to give users the confidence not to fail in producing a work. The lenses he makes can last for tens or even hundreds of years.
We were invited to see firsthand how lenses are produced with high precision, most of the process still requires human touch to ensure perfect quality. Experienced technicians work with precision, ensuring that each lens meets the high quality standards that have long been a hallmark of Zeiss.
Zeiss cinema lenses have been used in many blockbuster films, delivering sharp images and stunning detail. The awards Zeiss has received in the film industry, including several technical Oscar awards, are a testament to the quality of their products. On this production line, we also see how every lens component is rigorously tested before being assembled, ensuring that the resulting product is ready for use in the most challenging shooting scenarios in the film world.
Vivo Camera Testing
Next on the agenda is the part we've been looking forward to the most: a visit to the testing section of a camera module specifically designed for Vivo smartphones. In recent years, the collaboration between Vivo and Zeiss has given birth to a number of highly advanced smartphone camera technologies. In a sterile room filled with high-tech equipment, we were shown how each camera module is tested in a wide variety of usage scenarios.
From testing in low-light conditions, simulating fast-moving shooting, to testing for durability against extreme weather, each camera module must go through a series of long and rigorous tests before being declared fit for mass production.
“We want to ensure that every camera on a Vivo smartphone not only works well, but also delivers the best image quality in a variety of situations,” said Oliver Schindelbeck, Senior Smartphone Technology Manager at Zeiss Consumer Products.
Collaboration That Pushes the Boundaries of Innovation
Zeiss and Vivo have been working together for the past few years, and this collaboration has had a significant impact on the world of mobile photography. Not only providing lens technology, Zeiss is also involved in the overall design of the camera module, ensuring that every Vivo smartphone equipped with Zeiss technology is capable of producing high-quality photos and videos.
On this tour, we see firsthand how Zeiss technology is applied at every stage of Vivo smartphone camera production. From the design process to final testing, every step is taken with the aim of producing a product that not only meets consumer expectations, but also pushes the boundaries of smartphone camera technology innovation. The testing we saw that day was just one small example of the dedication Zeiss and Vivo put into ensuring that their products remain at the forefront of innovation.
Solid Performance
Despite increasing global challenges, Zeiss' performance remains solid. In the fiscal year 2022/2023, Zeiss recorded revenues of 101 billion euros, up 15% from the previous year. One of the factors driving this performance is Zeiss' focus on research and development (R&D), with total R&D investment reaching 1545 billion euros or around 15% of total revenue. This ongoing investment enables Zeiss to continue to innovate and lead the market in various optical technology segments, including semiconductors, healthcare and consumer.
Zeiss' success is also driven by strategic partnerships such as the one they have with Vivo. This collaboration opens up new markets and allows Zeiss to introduce their advanced technology to more consumers worldwide. With a strong foundation, the company is ready to face future challenges and continue to innovate in the fields of optics and digitalization.
A short trip to Germany, with the main agenda being a visit to Zeiss' headquarters in Oberkochen, provides a deep insight into how long history and innovation continue to go hand in hand. Since its inception until now, Zeiss has been a witness and a major actor in many optical technology revolutions in various industries, from medicine to film. Now, in the smartphone realm, they are collaborating with Vivo, after previously working with Nokia for dozens of years. This company, which is hundreds of years old, has survived until now by continuing to bring innovation and quality.
