The automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA has expanded in the field of intelligent, complex control electronics with another large-scale customer order.
The company will develope and produce an "Advanced Control Module" (ACM), which will enter series production in 2028. Additionally, the "Intelligent Power Distribution Module" (iPDM) will go into series production for another renowned automotive manufacturer by mid-year. The total order volume for both customer projects amounts to over €1 billion.
Production for both projects will take place in Timisoara, Romania, with Lippstadt, Germany, serving as the lead development site.
Vehicle electrical/electronic architectures are currently undergoing fundamental changes. While over 100 individual control units are currently installed in a vehicle, future vehicle architectures will consist of a significantly reduced number of control units. These will consolidate the functions of previous devices and differ in terms of functionality and complexity.
World's First Integration of eFuse-ASIC and Intelligent Software
Advanced Control Modules are an indispensable key technology for realizing medium and higher levels of automated driving (L2+). In this highly integrated product solution, iConF, which FORVIA HELLA presented as a world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show 2025, the company is the first automotive supplier worldwide to combine an electronic fuse with its own ASIC and intelligent control software.
These eFuses measure the current flow and consumption in real-time, controlled by software. The software also manages the demand-oriented distribution of available power in the vehicle. Based on this, the electronic fuse ensures that, even in the event of a potential defect, overheating, or (partial) system failure, the fundamental functionality of safety-relevant components and driving functions is maintained in a fail-operational manner. This includes, for example, the continued operation of radar and other sensors or brake and steer-by-wire systems.
Unlike conventional fuses, electronic fuses are maintenance-free due to their reversible functionality and do not need to be installed in an accessible location in the vehicle. This allows for up to a 25 percent reduction in wiring harness weight due to optimized cable requirements and more efficient construction.
Indispensable Key Technology for Autonomous Driving
"Without Advanced Control Modules, there will be no automated driving. This development towards software- and service-oriented vehicle architectures opens up a completely new, promising market. FORVIA HELLA has been active in the demanding body electronics business for over 25 years and produces over 13 million control units annually. This gives us a strong technological foundation today. The recent major contract from another premium manufacturer underlines our position as an innovation leader", stated Jörg Weisgerber, Managing Director Electronics at FORVIA HELLA.
Source: hella.com/en/Newsroom