Innovative sensor for air quality measurement goes into production in 2020

Lippstadt, 5 November 2019. Lighting and electronics expert HELLA has developed a particle sensor that allows even tiny concentrations of particulate matter to be measured in the interior and in immediate vicinity of vehicles. This includes fine dust particles with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres. Air quality is to be continuously improved for both driver and passengers with the help of the new sensor. The PM2.5 particle sensor is expected to go into series production at the end of 2020. Its first customer is set to be a premium European manufacturer, who will initially incorporate the sensor in his vehicles for the Asian market.

"High concentrations of particulate matter continue to be a major health hazard, especially in built-up urban areas. This is because tiny particles of fine dust in particular can accumulate in the lungs, where they cause both short and long-term health risks", says Marco Döbrich, head of the Sensors business field and the Technical Centre at HELLA's site in Bremen, where the sensor was developed. "We want to contribute to sustainably improving individual air quality. Our new particle sensor is a key component in this context."

The customer order envisages initially equipping vehicles with two PM2.5 sensors. The first sensor controls air quality inside the vehicle and improves it by automatically regulating the air supply and the efficient use of air filters. The second sensor measures the concentration of fine dust in the vehicle's immediate vicinity. This information can be used for display and automatic air recirculation control. The PM2.5 particle sensor can also be used to implement other digital use cases, such as route planning taking the local air quality into account.