Quick Takeaways
- High-resolution radar from FORVIA HELLA and NXP is being positioned as a cornerstone technology for premium automated vehicles.
- The CES 2026 unveiling confirms strong commercial traction and a clear industrialization roadmap toward Level 3 autonomy.
FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar program was officially unveiled at CES 2026, marking a major collaboration between Hella GmbH & Co. KGaA (FORVIA HELLA) and NXP Semiconductors N.V. This partnership is focused on developing and industrializing next-generation high-resolution radar sensors designed to support advanced automated driving functions.
The FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar platform is being engineered as a high-performance imaging radar solution with up to 32 transmit and receive channels per sensor. This architecture allows vehicles to detect objects with significantly higher precision, improving both range resolution and angular accuracy in complex driving environments.
FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar built on NXP imaging radar technology
At the core of the FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar is NXP’s third-generation imaging radar chipset, anchored by the S32R47 radar processor. This processor enables advanced signal processing and high data throughput, which are essential for interpreting detailed radar reflections in real time.
Key technical strengths of the system include:
These capabilities make the sensor architecture highly suitable for automated driving systems that require accurate and stable environmental perception.
Enabling SAE Level 2+ and Level 3 automated driving
The FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar has been designed to meet the demanding performance targets of SAE Level 2+ and Level 3 driving functions. These levels require vehicles to handle tasks such as highway piloting, automated lane changes, and traffic jam assistance with minimal driver intervention.
By combining FORVIA HELLA’s radar system expertise with NXP’s semiconductor platform, the solution delivers the processing power and sensing fidelity needed for these features. This integration ensures that vehicles can make safer and more confident driving decisions based on real-time radar data.
Industrialization roadmap and commercial scale
Series production of the FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar is scheduled to begin in mid-2028 for a global premium vehicle manufacturer. The project has already secured a three-digit million-euro order volume, reflecting strong confidence from the automotive market in the scalability and competitiveness of the technology.
Within this collaboration, FORVIA HELLA leads product development and industrialization, covering system design, validation, and manufacturing readiness. NXP supports the program by supplying its advanced radar semiconductors and deep expertise in automotive-grade processing platforms.
As vehicles move toward higher levels of automation, high-resolution radar will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring safety and reliability. The FORVIA HELLA and NXP partnership positions the ForWave7HD platform as a key building block for the next generation of premium automated vehicles.
The FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar platform is being engineered as a high-performance imaging radar solution with up to 32 transmit and receive channels per sensor. This architecture allows vehicles to detect objects with significantly higher precision, improving both range resolution and angular accuracy in complex driving environments.
FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar built on NXP imaging radar technology
At the core of the FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar is NXP’s third-generation imaging radar chipset, anchored by the S32R47 radar processor. This processor enables advanced signal processing and high data throughput, which are essential for interpreting detailed radar reflections in real time.
Key technical strengths of the system include:
- High-resolution object detection across multiple lanes
- Precise identification of vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles
- Improved reliability in poor visibility such as fog, rain, or darkness
These capabilities make the sensor architecture highly suitable for automated driving systems that require accurate and stable environmental perception.
Enabling SAE Level 2+ and Level 3 automated driving
The FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar has been designed to meet the demanding performance targets of SAE Level 2+ and Level 3 driving functions. These levels require vehicles to handle tasks such as highway piloting, automated lane changes, and traffic jam assistance with minimal driver intervention.
By combining FORVIA HELLA’s radar system expertise with NXP’s semiconductor platform, the solution delivers the processing power and sensing fidelity needed for these features. This integration ensures that vehicles can make safer and more confident driving decisions based on real-time radar data.
Industrialization roadmap and commercial scale
Series production of the FORVIA HELLA ForWave7HD radar is scheduled to begin in mid-2028 for a global premium vehicle manufacturer. The project has already secured a three-digit million-euro order volume, reflecting strong confidence from the automotive market in the scalability and competitiveness of the technology.
Within this collaboration, FORVIA HELLA leads product development and industrialization, covering system design, validation, and manufacturing readiness. NXP supports the program by supplying its advanced radar semiconductors and deep expertise in automotive-grade processing platforms.
As vehicles move toward higher levels of automation, high-resolution radar will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring safety and reliability. The FORVIA HELLA and NXP partnership positions the ForWave7HD platform as a key building block for the next generation of premium automated vehicles.
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