HELLA strengthens position in radar technology through cooperation with Swedish technology company for waveguide antennas

The internationally positioned automotive supplier HELLA is further expanding its position as one of the world's leading suppliers of radar technology for automated driving functions. HELLA has now signed an exclusive licensing and development agreement with Gapwaves, a technology company listed on the NASDAQ First North Growth Market in Stockholm, and has acquired a 10 percent stake in the company. Gapwaves is one of the global market leaders for waveguide-based antennas. HELLA will implement this technology in the next generation of corner radar sensors based on 77 GHz, further enhancing the performance of its own sensors. Start of series production for a German manufacturer of premium vehicles is planned for 2024.

“The cooperation with Gapwaves is an important step for us to develop high-performance radar solutions for automated driving functions, and thus to further expand our market position in this so important growth area," says Michael Jaeger, who is responsible for global driver assistance activities as a member of the management board of the Electronics division at HELLA. “With the development of increasingly advanced active safety systems as well as self-driving vehicles, the demand for higher resolution radar sensors in particular will increase sharply. Thus, by integrating Gapwaves’ technology, we see great potential to further increase the performance of our sensors.” By concluding the licensing agreement, HELLA obtains the right to use Gapwaves’ patented technology exclusively for corner radar sensor applications in the automotive sector. At the same time, the company will be actively involved in HELLA’s radar development activities.

“The agreement with HELLA is a very special milestone for us. It shows that our innovative antenna technology is in demand in the automotive sector. At the same time, our close cooperation with HELLA gives us important insights into automotive radar applications,” says Lars-Inge Sjöqvist, CEO of Gapwaves. “From this perspective, we are delighted to now have a long-term partner from the automotive industry at our side in HELLA, with whom we can jointly further advance the development of our technology as a core component for safe mobility and automated driving.”

Gapwaves grew out of research at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg and was founded in 2011. The company still has its headquarters there today. Gapwaves has been listed on the NASDAQ First North Growth Market Stockholm since 2016. The company currently employs around 30 people and generates annual sales in the single-digit million euro range.

Learn more about the latest 77GHz radar sensor.