HELLA has implemented a highly integrated, continuous rear combination lamp for the new Polestar 2, consisting of lighting and electronic components.

It gives the Polestar electric performance fastback its unique, characteristic appearance. The Polestar 2 has been available to customers since summer 2020.

The C-shaped rear combination lamp developed by HELLA extends seamlessly across the entire width of the vehicle with a narrow light band of almost 300 LEDs, consisting of five electronically coordinated modules. All lighting functions and animations, such as scenarios for coming home and leaving home, are entirely controlled by software. This also allows the vehicle manufacturer to implement updated lighting animations using software updates if desired, without having to modify the hardware architecture.

Rear combination lamps

“Rear combination lamps stopped just being used for safety functions a long time ago. In fact, they are also an important design element that car manufacturers can use to differentiate their vehicle models. This also puts increased demand on lighting technology and design vocabulary,” says Dr. Frank Huber, HELLA’s Managing Director responsible for the Lighting Division. “The Polestar’s rear combination lamp shows that we can optimally fulfil individual customer requirements using our comprehensive lighting and electronics expertise.”

The GAIN (Graphical Animation Interpreter) tool designed by HELLA was used in the development process to implement customer-specific light animation requirements with flexibility and efficiency. The software generally enables automotive manufacturers to design lighting animations easily, starting with functions such as the wiping indicator and individual choreographies for headlamps, grille lighting, rear combination lamps and the interior, right up to more complex animations for autonomous driving functions.