Advanced Driver Assist Systems
Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are vehicle safety features to aid drivers and prevent accidents. Examples include systems for collision avoidance braking, blind spot awareness, adaptive headlamps, parking assistance, pedestrian detection, lane departure assistance, and adaptive cruise control.
ADAS use input from cameras, radars, and ultrasonic devices through sensors and computers to take control of vehicle components. These components include vehicle systems such as steering, braking, or engine throttle. ADAS can also send audible alerts and illuminate warning lights to the driver to prevent accidents.
Advanced Driver Assist Systems include but are not limited to the following:
- Adaptive cruise control (ACC)
- Adaptive high beam
- Glare-free high beam and pixel light
- Adaptive light control; swiveling curve lights
- Automatic parking
- Automotive navigation system with typically GPS and Traffic Message Channel (TMC) for providing up to date traffic information
- Automotive night vision
- Blind spot monitor
- Collision avoidance system (pre-crash system)
- Crosswind stabilization
- Cruise control
- Driver drowsiness detection
- Driver Monitoring System
- Electric vehicle warning sounds used in hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles
- Emergency driver assistant
- Forward Collision Warning
- Intersection assistant
- Hill descent control
- Intelligent speed adaption or intelligent speed advice (ISA)
- Lane departure warning system
- Lane change assistance
- Parking sensor
- Pedestrian protection system
- Rain sensor
- Surround view system
- Traffic sign recognition
- Turning assistant
- Vehicular communication systems
- Wrong-way driving warning
Most Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) require specific service specifications for ADAS to be followed after a collision. This can include pre-scans, post-scans, and calibration of the systems affected. ADAS service specifications ensure the vehicle’s cameras, radars, and ultrasonic devices are aligned and functioning as engineered for consumer safety.
Some service specifications require scans and recalibrations of certain repairs even without sustaining a collision, such as windshield replacement, vehicle wheel alignment, change in suspension, or even dismantling of certain auto body components.
ADAS recalibration can vary by vehicle manufacturer, make, and model. These variations can range from driving the vehicle under certain conditions or for specified periods of time to hanging mechanical targets to recalibrate the system, depending on the specific vehicle equipment.
In a recent interview with the Inter-Industry Conference of Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), Jason Partanen, Director, Industry Technical Relations stated, “With the increase in ADAS on today’s vehicles, collision repair diagnostics is going to continue to play a growing role in complete, safe, quality repairs.” Bartanen also added, “In order for many of the advanced driver assist systems to function as designed following repair, calibration and aiming procedures are critical. A camera or sensor that is misaligned a few degrees may prevent one of these safety systems from functioning as designed.”
Some Automotive Repair Dealers (ARDs) are performing ADAS service internally, while others are subletting the service to outside vendors. In either case, ARDs are required to adhere to service specifications, accepted trade standards, and laws contained within the Automotive Repair Act and BAR regulations. California Code of Regulations section 3365 (a) requires that:
Repair procedures including but not limited to the sectioning of component parts, shall be performed in accordance with OEM service specifications or nationally distributed and periodically updated service specifications that are generally accepted by the autobody repair industry.
For additional information visit the About BAR page at www.bar.ca.gov.