A cold breeze immediately pierces the skin as soon as you step out of the door of the Vilotel Hotel in Oberkochen, Germany. Temperatures hovering around 12 degrees Celsius mark the beginning of autumn in the city, which is about 200 km from Munich.
Oberkochen is a cozy and quiet little town, which is home to Zeiss headquarters. It looks quiet, but it holds a great history and innovation in the field of optics. Gizmologi, who was 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.
See also: Collaboration with ZEISS, Vivo's New Breakthrough Strengthens Smartphone Camera Capabilities
After a short drive, we arrive at the grand yet elegant Zeiss building. This is where 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 led the tour. Where the company's history was showcased in various forms, from the first optical instruments ever created, to the cutting-edge technology now used around the world.
Zeiss, The Long History of a Lens
Inside the museum, we were invited to trace the long journey of Zeiss since its inception. Dr. Kurt Becker, a physicist and retired Zeiss, became our museum tour guide. He explained that the purpose of establishing the museum was to introduce all visitors to all Zeiss optical product lines.
Carl Zeiss started out in Jena, Germany, as a small workshop producing precision instruments 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.
The two laid the foundation for the multinational company in a more innovative direction. Together, they created optical systems that helped accelerate many scientific advances, including the development of microscopes used to identify tuberculosis bacteria.
The company was originally founded in Jena, East Germany. Carl Zeiss's headquarters moved to Oberkochen due to the history of World War II. The United States Army relocated facilities and senior employees to West Germany.
Kurt Becker explains how lens technology has evolved over time. One of Zeiss' proudest moments is their contribution to the medical and scientific world. For example, Zeiss' microscopes helped Nobel Prize-winning scientist Robert Koch discover the tuberculosis bacteria, a major medical discovery that saved millions of lives.
The company is 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 Oscars 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 production line of cinema camera lenses. Josef Kohnle, Senior Director of Operations at ZEISS who has been with the company since 1986, was the guide for this tour.
"Zeiss prioritizes quality over quantity. We focus more on creating premium products, so we don't mass produce lenses," he said.
He claims that Zeiss cinema lenses are very reliable in capturing various different situations to give users 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 manufactured with high precision, much 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 countless blockbuster films, delivering sharp images and stunning detail. The accolades Zeiss has received in the film industry, including several technical Oscars, are a testament to the quality of their products. On the production line, we also see how every lens component is rigorously tested before being assembled, ensuring that the resulting product is ready to be used in the most challenging shooting scenarios in the film world.
Vivo Camera Testing
Next on the agenda was the part we were most looking forward to: a visit to the testing area of camera modules specifically designed for Vivo smartphones. In recent years, the collaboration between Vivo and Zeiss has produced some very advanced smartphone camera technologies. In a sterile room filled with high-tech equipment, we were shown how each camera module is tested in a very diverse range of usage scenarios.
From low-light testing, fast-motion shooting simulations, to extreme weather resistance testing, each camera module must go through a series of long and rigorous tests before being declared fit for mass production.
“We wanted to make sure 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 design of the entire camera module, ensuring that every Vivo smartphone equipped with Zeiss technology is capable of producing high-quality photos and videos.
On this tour, we saw firsthand how Zeiss technology is applied at every stage of Vivo’s smartphone camera production. From the design process to final testing, every step is done with the goal 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 fiscal year 2022/2023, Zeiss reported revenues of 10,1 billion euros, up 15% from the previous year. One of the factors driving this performance was Zeiss' focus on research and development (R&D), with total R&D investments reaching 1,545 billion euros or around 15% of total revenues. This continued 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 technologies to more consumers around the world. 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 of a visit to the 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 main actor in many optical technology revolutions in various industries, from medical to film. Now, in the smartphone realm they collaborate with Vivo, after previously being 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.
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