Polestar 3 to light up roads with headlamps of LG’s ZKW

The Polestar 3, an all-electric mid-sized sport utility vehicle, will be equipped with high-definition light-emitting diode (HD LED) headlights developed by ZKW Group, an Austria-based subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., indicating the world’s leading home appliance maker is expanding its presence in the automotive industry.

ZKW said on Tuesday that it manufactured an intelligent light system, which offers different light distributions and glare-free high beams to the first SUV of the Swedish electric vehicle maker, which was unveiled in October 2022 but will be delivered in certain countries such as China later this year. ZKW has yet to reveal the financial details of the supply deal.

The 1.3-megapixel modules of the front lights automatically adjust the intensity, size and height of the light beam to the light and weather conditions as well as the driving speed, ZKW said in a statement. In addition, the intelligent headlamp system prevents blinding other road users.

ZKW applied its “mirrorZ” technology that can control and distribute the LED light in a targeted manner due to movable micro-mirrors. In combination with a front camera, the system detects oncoming traffic and automatically dims and focuses the light beam precisely and seamlessly on the required areas with the help of digital light processing technology.

“The Polestar 3 headlamp system combines the latest technologies and innovative functions into a premium series product,” said ZKW CEO Wilhelm Steger. “The warning functions help to increase road safety and avoid accidents.”

The company has been closely working with Polestar, supplying premium LED headlights to the Polestar 2, an electric mid-sized sedan.

LG ELEC’S AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESS TARGET

Shares of LG Electronics, which acquired ZKW in 2018, rose 0.8% on Thursday in South Korea’s main stock market although the main Kospi dipped 0.2%.

ZKW is known for its distinguished technology of automotive lightning. Its customers include global premium carmakers such as Porshe AG, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

LG Electronics has been focusing on the automotive business, which is poised to lead the company’s future growth.

The South Korean tech giant is working on the in-vehicle infotainment business at its vehicle component solutions division and in the EV powertrain sector through LG Magna e-Powertrain Co., a joint venture with Canadian car parts maker Magna International Inc.

LG Electronics set aside 799.8 billion won ($613.2 million) for the automotive electronics business' capital expenditures this year, up 20.7% from 2022.

Write to Ik-Hwan Kim at lovepen@hankyung.com
 

Jongwoo Cheon edited this article.