News
Licht am Ende des Datentunnels (GoldenGate)
Cameras, smart sensors, and AI systems could increasingly take over tasks on board in the future – from assisting pilots to optimizing fuel consumption. The recently launched GoldenGate research project investigates how these growing volumes of data can be processed efficiently and transmitted to the ground via an optical connection within just a few minutes after landing.
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ZAL Family Day 2026
For the 10th anniversary of the ZAL TechCenter, we opened our doors for a special day within our community: At the ZAL Family Day, employees and tenants were able to show their families and friends what they work on every day.
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XPONENTIAL EUROPE: ZAL showcases H2 drone
Vom 24. bis 26. März war das ZAL auf der XPONENTIAL Europe in Düsseldorf vertreten. Im Fokus standen Wasserstoffdrohnen und ihr enormes Potenzial: Mit Flugzeiten von bis zu 2,5 Stunden bei gasförmigem Wasserstoff und sogar über 8 Stunden bei flüssigem Wasserstoff eröffnen die Systeme neue Möglichkeiten für Anwendungen wie das Monitoring von Küsten- und Gewässerinfrastrukturen oder Pipeline-Inspektionen.
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ZAL AI project is a finalist at the Crystal Cabin Award 2026
ZAL GmbH, together with 3D.aero GmbH and the Institute of Aircraft Production Technology (IFPT), developed the project Automated Quality Inspection, which has now reached the final of the Crystal Cabin Award 2026.
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ZAL Innovation Days 2026 – A Look Back
The fourth edition of our flagship event, the ZAL Innovation Days 2026, once again brought together international voices on topics currently defining aviation. Among the speakers were Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, Alaska Airlines, aviation journalist Jon Ostrower and many more.
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Cabin Inspection: From Clipboard to AI
Before a new aircraft takes off for the first time, the cabin undergoes a thorough inspection during handover to the airline. The new DrumView research project could make this visual inspection faster, more efficient, and even possible remotely.
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Jugend forscht 2026 at ZAL
On February 12 and 13, the Finkenwerder regional competition of Jugend forscht was hosted at the ZAL TechCenter for the first time. Over the course of two days, more than 90 young researchers presented their projects at the innovation marketplace.
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Smart PSU shortlisted for the 2026 Crystal Cabin Award
The classic Passenger Service Unit (PSU) receives a digital upgrade: with touch displays, intelligent control, and efficient networking via 10BASE-T1S, the Smart Connected PSU makes the flight experience more comfortable for passengers and simplifies cabin operations for the crew. Developed as part of Eduard Lomtadze’s bachelor thesis at HAW Hamburg and ZAL, it is now shortlisted for the Crystal Cabin Award 2026.
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Jetlite Wins 2025 ZAL.award with “Chronolite”
Announced on December 11 Jetlite has been named the winner of this year’s ZAL.award for its visionary project Chronolite. The award jury recognized the project’s exceptional strength across all evaluation categories: Application, Innovation, and Collaboration. For Jetlite, a startup that grew and matured within the ZAL ecosystem, the award marks a significant milestone—underscoring how Hamburg’s global cabin-focused aviation expertise continues to spark meaningful innovation.
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ZAL.award 2025: The Finalists Have Been Announced
Initiated and presented by the ZAL Association, the ZAL.award recognizes pioneering projects that advance the ZAL ecosystem. The finalists have now been determined: three projects were selected by the jury.
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