HELLA and ZF have announced that they are entering into a strategic partnership. Both automotive suppliers say they will benefit from this cooperation on sensor technology, particularly for front camera systems, imaging and radar systems.

ZF will further strengthen its portfolio as a systems supplier, which offers both modern assistance systems and autonomous driving functions and HELLA will drive technological development and benefits from a broader market access with its leading technologies. The first joint development project in camera technology will start immediately, with the objective of a market launch in 2020.

Dr. Rolf Breidenbach, CEO at HELLA KGaA Hueck & Co., comments, "HELLA is a strong and experienced provider of sensor technologies. Our knowledge aligns perfectly with ZF’s expertise. By combining our strengths, we clearly aim to provide market leading and high performing assistance systems and autonomous driving functions. In addition, this cooperation will strengthen HELLA’s position as a well-regarded supplier for imaging and radar sensor technologies.”

"This strategic partnership for sensor technology with HELLA enhances our position as a complete systems supplier for modern assistance systems as well as autonomous driving functions,” says Dr. Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen AG. "This non-exclusive cooperation with HELLA is an important expansion of our Vision Zero ecosystem of development partnerships. Thus, we can create a wider technological foundation for safety and autonomous driving.”

In the mid to long term, these cooperation partners will provide camera systems for automated driving functions, as well as for commercial vehicles and off-highway applications. In their cooperative work in the radar systems sector, the partners will also identify opportunities to provide attractive volume-production solutions in the short to mid term by jointly building up their product portfolio. HELLA’s 360° surround view radar systems together with ZF’s mid-range and long-range radar systems will establish a new and comprehensive systems solution.