ADAS calibration requirements on passenger vehicles is the fastest growing service segment in the auto repair business. Glass installers, body shops and repair centers should all be in the business of performing ADAS calibrations for their customers. Not only is the a fantastic additional high profit revenue stream, but there are also potential legal liability issues for the service provider if these calibrations are not being performed after repairs that require recalibrations. Replacing windshields, alignments, body work, and any repair involving removing the front grill or bumper amongst many other repairs all require ADAS recalibrations during the service event. But where can you find the right diagnostic tools, training and support for the job? From Triad Diagnostic Solutions!
What is ADAS?
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, also known as ADAS, is a suite of assistance features created to increase driver and vehicle safety and lessen the severity and frequency of traffic accidents and make your vehicle more fuel efficient. The following are crucial ADAS applications:
- Pedestrian detection/avoidance
- Lane departure warning/correction
- Traffic sign recognition
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot detection
These life-saving systems, which use the most current interface standards and numerous vision-based algorithms to enable real-time multimedia, vision co-processing, and sensor fusion subsystems, are crucial to the success of ADAS applications.
What are the usual components of ADAS?
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
ACC is the automatic speed control technology that maintains a safe distance from cars in front. This system allows the driver to safely and efficiently operate the vehicle over long distances with confidence that they are not endangering themselves, passengers or others on the road.
Night Vision System (NVS)
NVS increases a driver’s perception and seeing distance in the dark or inclement weather outside the range of the car’s headlights by using a thermographic camera. This system is especially helpful in difficult visibility conditions or for drivers that may struggle with night or low visibility driving.
Around View Monitoring (AVM)
This gives a birds-eye perspective of the automobile in a simulated 360-degree environment, consisting of four cameras: front, rear, right, and left mitigating risk to the vehicle and others around the vehicle when parking or leaving a garage or parking space with pedestrian or objects nearby.
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
Warns driver when the car begins to move out of freeway lane—designed to decrease collisions: driver mistake, distractions, and sleepiness.
Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
Brakes sharply to avoid rear-end collisions. It has a rear-facing sensor and comes with a rear crash-warning system.
Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
A vehicle-based sensor feature that identifies other cars adjacent to the driver’s side and vehicle rear sends a proximity alert. BSD has been proven to reduce accidents more than any other ADAS system due to the prevalence of accidents caused by lane changes with other vehicles in harm’s way.
Why does ADAS Make Automotive Repairs More Costly?
Newer car models mean new technology and advances in ADAS. Collision and repair shops around the country strive to offer high-quality service for their repairs while adapting quickly to these manufacturing changes. Unfortunately, the repair expenditures have increased over the past few years, and there are several causes for that:
ADAS Sensors are Vulnerable
ADAS sensors are situated diversely in the panels and sections of the automobile and are highly sensitive to the external environment. Usually, you’ll find them in bumpers, windshields, behind the front grill, near tires, and side-view mirrors – All locations that might quickly get impacted by road debris, in parking lots and especially during fender benders or high velocity crashes. Simply repairing or replacing the external auto parts is insufficient in the ADAS situation since the damaged internal sensors also require particular care. Additionally, recalibration of the ADAS may occur for reasons other than collisions with other cars. Accidentally striking a road curb, a wall, or a tree or getting into a hailstorm can force the sensors to migrate. The strike might still impact the sensor’s precise location and accuracy even if it merely moved the sensor’s readings off by a few millimeters. That’s why using the correct Autel target boards and patterns for ADAS calibration is crucial for the successful completion of a repair.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) requirements
Suppose your repair shop must change a component within an advanced driver assistance system. In that case, there is a reasonable likelihood that the new part will need to come from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). OEM components are created to fit a specific vehicle’s structural integrity and enable the operation of ADAS, in contrast to mass-produced aftermarket parts. In addition, the manufacturing processes for automobile models are constantly changing. It can be challenging for the automotive technicians and body shops to keep up with changes, even with something as small as the size of the screws or sensor locations.
Even though OEM parts are more expensive, they are the ideal choice for most collision repair technicians since they guarantee a maximum long-term value and a flawless fit for the vehicle. Additionally, certain OEMs want specialized diagnostic tools and technicians with relevant knowledge – Which is why so many techs use Autel.
Calibration is Essential
The auto body shop must ensure that all ADAS systems are to OEM specifications when the repair is finished. Autel’s ADAS tool packages can perform the correct calibration tests to accomplish this. ADAS is intended to give an early warning. Thus, if the system is not correctly calibrated after the repair, it might make the car react in a dangerous scenario too slowly. All service providers must be aware that there are now 8 states with ADAS calibration requirements as state law and even in absence of state law, not performing ADAS calibrations when required opens them up to potential legal liability.
The price of fixing modern cars has gone up in recent years due to the introduction of several extremely modern driver safety systems. The added calibration procedure has significantly impacted longer repair cycle times, which results in higher costs. Fortunately for shops, this also represents an opportunity for high profits and a return on investment for ADAS calibration equipment that surpasses any other tool in your shop.
Autel ADAS Calibration
There’s no arguing that today’s modern vehicles come with more electrical components and technology – All in the name of safety. By flashing alarms, giving camera photos, or assuming immediate control of the vehicle, ADAS helps drivers avoid crashes. To keep up with the demand and changes, your repair shop needs to be prepared with the right ADAS alignment tools, targets, software, and diagnostic scan tools.
The Autel MaxiSys ADAS offers the original full diagnostic capability, thorough ADAS dynamic and static calibrations to OEM specifications. Autel MaxiSys ADAS is the perfect calibration tool for collision repair, glass replacement, and repair businesses, thanks to MaxiSys calibration instruments and special software.
Autel offers multiple calibration frames for different repair service providers needs. The MA600 mobile frame is perfect for any mobile glass replacement operation or small shop. Weighing less than 95 pounds with foldable arms and casters, this frame can be easily stored and transported in panel vans and work trucks or moved around the shop and set up in minutes. The Autel standard frame know as the “Big Red” is a highly sturdy frame intended for stationary installation in a bay for higher volume operations. The addition of the IA800 digital camera system to the standard frame reduces the required set up and calibration time to less than 10 minutes for most calibrations performed. Autel’s newest product, the IA900 calibration and alignment frame includes digital laser measuring system and wheel alignment software that can work with your existing alignment frame. It allows shops to integrate these two high-profit services into one bay area and completes both in minutes. What’s more, if a shop does not have an alignment frame, the IA900 includes self-leveling technology making both ADAS calibrations and alignments possible on uneven floors or other obstructions between the frame and vehicle.
Additional Autel ADAS accessories allow you to seamlessly work in various makes and models, despite any differences in ADAS that each brand equips in every vehicle.
Triad Diagnostic Solutions ADAS Calibration Tools
Whether you are starting a new body shop or looking to expand the capabilities of your current location, Triad Diagnostic Solutions provides ADAS tool packages and accessories that include static and diagnostic calibrations, calibration reports, and diagnostics.
Furthermore, when you work with Triad, you will receive a number of benefits such as free shipping, free technician training and support, lifetime warranties on Autel tablets and vehicle communication interfaces, and a 30-day guarantee on non-LTL items. Give us a call to discuss ADAS calibration options with one of Triad’s highly trained and experienced product professional!