Front Phygital Shields are among the most technologically sophisticated products in HELLA’s entire lighting portfolio. Depending on customer specifications, they are available in various levels of integration, for example with different lighting functionalities. Based on the respective customer requirements, headlamp and signal light functions can be integrated. LEDs can also be used to illuminate the front of the vehicle, highlight brand-typical design elements or generate coming home/leaving home animations. Taking into account different colour variations of the Front Phygital Shields as well as illuminated and non-illuminated versions among other things, a total of over 140 different designs are realized within the scope of the customer projects.
At the same time, the Front Phygital Shields ensure the implementation of automated driving functions, such as automatic distance control (ACC). For this purpose, the Front Phygital Shields act as a radar-transparent cover for the radar sensors integrated in the front of the vehicle to protect them from the effects of weather and dirt. At the same time, the heating function, which is also integrated, makes the radar sensors an environment perception technology that is independent of the weather.
Front Phygital Shields are composed of up to eight different foil and plastic layers, some of which are made of sustainable recycled materials. For one of the customer projects, which comprises five different vehicle models, HELLA is also using polyurethane plastics for the first time anywhere in the company. They give the Phygital Shields a self-healing effect: after minor damage or deformation caused by weather or stone chips they can return to their original state under the influence of heat, such as sunlight, thanks to the polyurethanes used.
