What is ADAS and what is this equipment for?

ADAS are advanced driver assistance systems, which are electronic systems built into the car that make it easier for the driver to drive and perform other functions. The emergence of these electronic systems has been driven by laws and trends to reduce the number of accidents on the road. All ADAS systems use automated technologies, i. cameras and sensors to detect nearby obstacles, lines and other signaling elements to inform the driver and respond accordingly to both the car and the driver himself.

Most accidents are caused by human error, not necessarily by drivers, but can also be bystanders and third parties. Intelligent driver assistance systems are systems that have been developed and are being developed, automated, adapted and refined to make vehicle systems easier, more comfortable and safer to drive. Of course, all this is proven by both research and obvious statistics that cars driven with ADAS systems are less likely to be involved in accidents.

All of these safety systems are designed to prevent accidents and collisions on the road by introducing the latest technology that alerts the driver to problems, implements safety measures in response and, where necessary, automated systems take over control of the vehicle.

All of these systems can alert drivers to potential obstacles, help keep you out of your lane, center your lane at the same time, provide navigation assistance, adjust lighting, turn on cruise control, add traffic alerts, and more. And that’s not the end, due to rising industry quality and safety standards, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are one of the fastest growing segments of automotive electronics.

ADAS systems first appeared almost 50 years ago when car anti-slip systems were installed in cars. The early stage of ADAS systems included electronic stability, anti-lock braking, blind spot information systems, lane departure warning.

What are ADAS systems?

Cruise control system - can maintain a specific speed set in advance by the driver. The car will maintain the speed set by the driver until the driver depresses the brake pedal, clutch pedal or disengages the system.

Rear camera - The rear camera of the vehicle provides real-time visual information about your vehicle's environment. This camera assists the driver when reversing or parking. When the driver engages reverse gear, the cameras turn on automatically.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) - Restores the car's tire grip by adjusting the brake pressure when the vehicle starts to slip. This ensures control of the car when it starts to slip. This system has been standardized for a very long time and in general in all models produced, the ABS system is already installed.

"Driver monitoring systems" means a vehicle safety system designed to monitor the vigilance of the driver. These systems use biological characteristics to assess the driver's alertness and ability to drive safely. Currently, these systems use infrared sensors and cameras to monitor the driver’s attention by keeping an eye on them. If the vehicle detects a possible obstacle, it will inform the driver and, if no action is taken, the vehicle can react automatically when braking.

Automatic parking - takes full control of parking, including driving, braking and accelerating, to make it easier for drivers to park. Depending on the car and obstacles, the vehicle is parked safely in a free parking space.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) - can maintain the selected speed and distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front. ACC can automatically brake or accelerate in response to a vehicle in front. ACC systems with stop and go functions can stop completely and accelerate again to the specified speed.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - can learn the speed of the car and apply the individual brakes to prevent under-driving and over-driving. Inadequate control occurs when the front wheels of a car do not have enough traction to make the car turn, and an excess occurs when the car turns more than intended, causing the car to turn.

Alcohol Ignition Blocking Devices - Prevent drivers from starting the car if the smell of alcohol during breathing exceeds a predetermined amount.

Car windshield display (auto-HUD) - securely displays essential information to the driver in a location on the windshield so that the driver does not have to look down and take his eyes off the road. Most auto-HUD systems on the market today display information on the windshield using liquid k

"Emergency assistant" means a means of neutralizing an emergency situation if the driver falls asleep and does not perform any driving action within a specified time. After a certain period of time, if the driver does not use the accelerator, brake or turn the steering wheel, the car will send audio, video and physical signals to the driver. If the driver does not wake up after these signals, the automated system stops the car, parks the vehicle safely and turns on the hazard warning lights.

Driver drowsiness detection - Systems aim to prevent emergency situations due to driver fatigue and falling asleep. The vehicle receives information such as from a face scan, a change of driving, loss of driving habits, use of a turn signal, increased maneuverability, and speed. Normally, the system alerts the driver with an audible signal, the seat vibration is activated and the vehicle automatically starts to decelerate.

Car Navigation System - Uses digital mapping tools such as the GPS detection system and the TMC traffic information channel to provide drivers with the latest traffic and navigation information.

Rain sensors - Vehicle rain sensors are a moisture-sensitive system that automatically triggers electronic actions such as closing open windows or closing the roofs of convertibles. These rain sensors can also set the frequency of raindrops to automatically turn on the windshield wipers exactly as long as the windshield needs to be cleaned.

Frontal Collision Warning (FCW) - Monitors the speed of the vehicle and the vehicle in front of it and leaves a safe distance to the vehicle. The FCW system sends a warning to the driver of a possible impending collision if he approaches an oncoming vehicle.

Intersection Assistant - uses two radar sensors in the front bumper and on the sides of the car. This system warns the driver of any traffic from the sides of the vehicle and can activate the vehicle’s emergency braking system to prevent a collision.

Car Night Vision System - Allows the vehicle to detect obstacles, including pedestrians, at night or in severe weather when it is raining or foggy outside. These systems can use a variety of technologies, including infrared sensors or GPS.

Blind Spot Monitor - This sensor-based and radar-based system shows locations behind or on the side of the vehicle that the driver cannot see while seated. The blind spot monitor includes cameras that monitor the driver's blind spots and notify the driver if obstacles are approaching the vehicle.

Advanced Speed ​​Adaptation or Smart Speed ​​Advice (ISA) - Helps drivers comply with speed limits. The driver receives information about the position of the vehicle and notifies the driver when he does not comply with the specified speed limit. Some ISA systems allow the vehicle to adjust the speed to comply with the relative speed limit.

Hill descent control - Controls help drivers maintain a safe speed when driving downhill or other uphill slopes. These systems are usually installed if the vehicle is moving faster than 15-20 km / h when driving downhill. When a degree change is felt, the descent control automates the driver’s speed to descend safely. This system works by pulsing the brake system and controlling each wheel independently to maintain traction.

Hill Climb Control - A holder that helps prevent the vehicle from rolling back uphill when it resumes from a standstill. This feature supports the brakes as you switch between the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal.

Accident avoidance collision system (pre-accident system) - small radar detectors, usually located on the front of the vehicle, are used to detect the proximity of the vehicle to nearby obstacles and to inform the driver of a possible collision. These systems can take into account sudden changes in the car's environment that could lead to a collision. The systems may react to a possible collision situation by several actions, such as an audible signal, the tightening of the occupant's seat belts or the lifting of the reclining seats.

Crosswind stabilization - helps prevent the vehicle from wobbling or even tipping over when a strong wind blows or even when a gust of wind strikes its side. This system distributes the wheel load according to the transverse wind speed and direction.

Lane centering system - helps the driver keep the vehicle in the center of the lane. The lane centering system can take over the steering on its own when it detects that the driver is in danger of moving away from the center of the lane.

Lane Keeping System (LDW) - Warns the driver when he crosses another lane without using turn signals. The LDW system uses cameras to monitor lane markings to determine if the driver is accidentally n

Who needs ADAS calibration equipment?

Many ADAS sensors are very precisely directed to specific directions and points, so any misalignment requires calibration if their position has changed. Malfunctioning sensors and radars can occur even with a slight bend in the car wing. Uncalibrated ADAS sensors can provide erroneous information that will cause the ADAS system to malfunction and no longer function at all. A negative sensor position can do the following:

The warning light on the instrument panel is on

DTC error in car computer

Steering wheel vibration

Impaired traction and movement of the vehicle

Increased driving effort

Due to all the problems, the driver may lose confidence in the car's capabilities, or even overconfidence, and then the likelihood of an accident will increase.

Recalibration of ADAS sensors may not be necessary, then when the wing is bent, there are many more factors. Recalibration of ADAS sensors with a stand is required when replacing the windshield, changing tires, installing new headlights, or even performing specific brake repairs. Also if you have replaced the front bumper or other certain parts of the car body. ADAS systems can malfunction even if winter or dirty driving conditions can obscure sensors and radars.

If the ADAS sensors do not match the real information, or there is even a bad wheel alignment, the information provided by the ADAS systems is distorted, see below.

What equipment is needed to calibrate ADAS sensors?

Due to ADAS challenges, car services or windshield service providers transport cars to official dealerships that have the ability to calibrate ADAS sensors. However, this is not necessary, as modern ADAS calibration equipment has all the information about the manufacturers of their models, so even simple services can purchase this equipment and provide it as an additional service. It is especially recommended to use ADAS calibration equipment for services that provide glass replacement services, perform body repairs and especially for services that cooperate with insurance companies and perform repairs of the insured event.

Before calibrating ADAS sensors with special ADAS calibration equipment, the vehicle must be prepared so that all data is as accurate as possible.

Check the car interior and trunk for unnecessary items

Check that the car's tire pressure is as specified by the manufacturer

The height of the front and rear suspensions meets the specifications

Check that the fuel tank is full

When adjusting sensors or a clean windshield

Is the protective cover removed from the radar sensor

Wheel alignment performed