HELLA wins first customer order for innovative FlatLight concept

HELLA, the automotive supplier operating under the FORVIA umbrella brand, has received a customer order from an international car manufacturer for its innovative FlatLight concept.

This is not only the first series order for this pioneering technology, but also one of the largest project acquisitions in HELLA's rear combination lamp business in recent years.

The FlatLight rear combination lamp is scheduled to go into series production as early as mid-2024. It is developed at the company's headquarters in Lippstadt and in Mohelnice, Czech Republic. Production will start in Bánovce, Slovakia.

The FlatLight is based on an innovative LED light guide concept with so-called micro-optics that are smaller than a grain of salt. This opens up numerous advantages: higher performance, more diverse design options, better integration into the vehicle. Thanks to the extremely shallow module depth, the required installation space is reduced by around 90 percent: While conventional systems require an installation depth of around 40 millimeters, FlatLight technology manages with just five millimeters. In addition, the different rear combination lamp functions can be implemented in just one optical element.

As part of the acquired customer project, brake and taillight functions are combined, for example. In terms of installation space requirements, homogeneity achieved and efficiency, this cannot be realized with any other available solution. Based on the FlatLight technology, it would also be possible to integrate the flashing light. Another plus point is that it requires up to 80 percent less energy than conventional LED taillights on the market - while maintaining the same high lighting performance and homogeneity.