·       As a world premiere: For the first time, a radar-based turning assistant is integrated into a tractor mirror

·       Greater safety: intelligent radar technology in the exterior mirror protects against collisions when turning left

·       Greater flexibility: System is particularly easy to use for new vehicles thanks to manufacturer-independent design

The international automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA will be presenting an innovative driver assistance system for agricultural machinery for the first time at Agritechnica 2025 in Hanover (Hall 17, Booth A34).  The company is thus presenting the complete integration of a radar-based turning assistant into the mirror of a tractor as a world premiere and the first supplier in the market. The system was developed to eliminate one of the most common causes of accidents in road traffic with agricultural machinery: collisions with overtaking vehicles when turning left. The system will be available to European customers from the second half of 2026.

More safety through radar technology

Agricultural vehicles are particularly at risk of accidents due to limited visibility and pronounced blind spots. There is an increased risk in particular when turning left from a country road into a field, as following vehicles often start to overtake in such situations – a constellation that can often lead to serious accidents. According to a 2023 study by the German Insurance Association (GDV), over 13 percent of accidents involving agricultural tractors occur in turning and crossing situations, with 19 percent of these accidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries.

The new driver assistance system from FORVIA HELLA addresses this problem by detecting overtaking vehicles from a distance of up to 80 meters and warning the driver at an early stage. The system transforms the classic exterior mirror into a smart safety assistant through integrated radar technology. If the system detects a vehicle in the blind spot, a clearly visible warning signal appears directly in the mirror. "Our aim is to sustainably improve safety in agricultural machinery. By specifically addressing a central source of danger, we are bringing proven driver assistance systems from the automotive industry to agriculture for the first time – and thus setting new standards for the protection of all road users," explains Daniel Wiepen, Product Manager Electronics in the Lifecycle Solutions Business Group at FORVIA HELLA. "Our solution expands the field of vision and noticeably increases safety for farmers – especially when turning."

Modular scalability for easy integration into commercial vehicles

The idea and development of this innovative driver assistance system for agriculture came from FORVIA HELLA. FICOSA, one of the leading suppliers of vehicle mirrors and driver assistance systems based in Barcelona, Spain, is responsible for the technical implementation. As an integrator, FICOSA seamlessly integrates radar technology into existing mirror architectures. The cooperation took place within the framework of a development partnership in which the know-how of both companies in the areas of radar technology and vehicle integration was bundled. The system is modularly scalable, manufacturer-independent and can be easily integrated into new vehicle platforms, making it widely applicable in the agricultural sector.