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[Full Guide] What is ADAS

October 31, 2024

What is ADAS Calibration: The Ultimate Guide for Mechanics and Specialists

Remember the last time you quoted a simple quarter panel repair, only to discover the vehicle needed a wheel alignment too? 

ADAS calibration is today's alignment upsell—except the stakes (and profits) are much higher. Here's what we mean: A minor side swipe could involve fixing blind spot sensors and lane departure cameras. 

Depending on the complexity of the systems, that repair could add anywhere between $1,000 to $5,000 in additional revenue. Considering over 90%+ of new vehicles these days come equipped with at least one ADAS component, and calibrating ADAS systems can be a lucrative revenue stream. 

In this blog, we’ll cover exactly what ADAS is, why calibration is so vital, as well as types of systems you might encounter and the tools you’ll need.

Introduction to ADAS

Thanks to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), cars today are safer and more convenient than ever before. These systems help prevent and reduce the severity of accidents, making roads safer for everyone. Underneath the larger umbrella of ADAS are a variety of features, from adaptive cruise control to automatic emergency braking, all working together. 

These systems not only reduce the likelihood of collisions but also improve driving comfort by automating routine tasks, making for a better and safer driving experience.

ADAS systems themselves are a combination of various sensors, cameras, and algorithms. These components work in unison to detect potential hazards and respond accordingly. For instance, forward radar sensors and front-facing camera sensors help in identifying obstacles and maintaining safe distances, while steering angle sensors ensure the vehicle stays on its intended path.

However, the effectiveness of these systems hinges on precise ADAS calibration. These systems require extremely minute calibrations to make sure that all sensors and cameras are accurately aligned so the ADAS can function as intended. 

What is Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Calibration?

Even the most advanced driver assistance systems can fail if they’re not set up properly, leading to potential safety risks. ADAS calibration, then, is the process of ensuring a vehicle's systems are working precisely as designed by the manufacturer. 

Even minor impacts or adjustments to vehicle alignment can affect the accuracy of ADAS systems. Proper calibration is crucial for safety, legal compliance, and to make sure the vehicle is performing at its best. These are sensitive systems and even being off by one degree could mean the difference between hitting your target and missing completely.

Being off by just one degree at 60 feet means being off target by a foot. At 180 feet? That's three feet of deviation which could be enough for the system to mistake a fire hydrant for an oncoming vehicle. 

Why does this matter to your shop? 

According to insurance industry requirements, the liability for ADAS faults falls squarely on the repairer. That means if an accident occurs because of an improperly calibrated system, your shop could face costly legal battles and damage to your reputation.

Types of Calibrations Needed for ADAS

Considering how many different functions fall under the umbrella of ADAS, different environments may be required to properly calibrate a given system. 

They fall under one of two different categories.

Static ADAS Calibration

Static calibration is performed in a controlled environment, with the vehicle stationary. But this means a lot more than just “inside”. Each system will have different processes and procedures to calibrate properly and this demands a controlled environment. 

This includes things like the proper temperature, lighting, and precise target positioning on level ground. Everything must be exact in order to be able to sign off on a system as properly calibrated.

Dynamic ADAS Calibration

Dynamic calibration takes place on the road, with the vehicle in motion. It's like teaching the car to “see” the road again and orient itself. 

These processes similarly require specific conditions: clear weather, well-marked roads, and particular speed requirements. Some vehicles might need multiple drive cycles to complete the calibration properly, sometimes making it a more time-intensive process.

ADAS Sensors

In order to actually fulfill their role, advanced driver assistance systems are composed of a variety of different sensors that work together like a nervous system. Each type serves a specific purpose and requires its own calibration approach.

Camera Sensors

Camera sensors serve as the “eyes” of the vehicle, providing crucial visual information about the surrounding environment. Forward-facing cameras mounted near the rearview mirror handle tasks like lane detection and traffic sign recognition. Side-view cameras assist with parking and blind spot detection. Rear-view cameras in particular have become mandatory safety equipment.

LiDAR Sensors

LiDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging) creates detailed 3D maps of the vehicle's surroundings by bouncing laser light off objects. These sensors are particularly good at precise distance measurements and are becoming increasingly common in advanced autonomous features. Their calibration requires particular attention to geometric alignment, as even minor deviations can significantly impact their effectiveness. If alignment is off by even one degree means, at 60 feet away, the LiDAR is missing its target by over a foot.

Radar Sensors

Where cameras can’t cut the job in poor visibility, radar systems are there to do the job. These sensors excel at detecting objects and measuring speeds no matter what it looks like to the human eye (or camera). These sensors are used to support features like adaptive cruise control and emergency braking systems.

Examples of ADAS Features

The landscape of ADAS features continues to evolve, with each system requiring specific calibration procedures. 

  • Forward Collision Warning: These systems rely heavily on front-facing sensors, making them particularly sensitive to any front-end repairs. Even minor bumper work can affect their performance if not properly recalibrated.
  • Autonomous Emergency Braking: Uses radar and camera inputs to detect potential collisions and automatically apply the brakes. This system requires precise calibration of multiple sensors working in harmony.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control: Front-mounted radar and camera systems help maintain a safe following distance by automatically adjusting your vehicle's speed. Any work on the front-end repairs or bumper replacements affect these sensors.
  • Brake Assist: These technologies integrate with multiple vehicle systems which means careful sensor synchronization is necessary during calibration. These systems often get overlooked during minor repairs, but their proper function is crucial for safety.
  • Driver Attention Warning/Blind Spot Monitoring: Both systems use a combination of sophisticated camera technology. One monitors driver behavior, while the other works in conjunction with side-mounted radar sensors that must be precisely aligned after any body work.
  • Lane Departure Warning: These heavily depend on camera calibration so precise that even a windshield replacement can throw them off.

What are Common Causes that Call for ADAS Calibration?

Not every ADAS calibration comes from a major collision or damage. Even routine maintenance can trigger the need for recalibration. Here are the most common repairs that require ADAS calibration and why you need to know about them.

Windshield replacements

Any system using a forward-facing camera will definitely need to be recalibrated after a windshield replacement. Since the camera’s view is through the glass, it has to be reset to make sure it’s calibrated for this particular windshield. Glass is a tricky substance. Even identical OEM glass can have minute differences in thickness and opacity that affect the camera's ability to detect lane markings, road signs, and potential obstacles.

Suspension Work

Any changes to the ride height of the vehicle will change the angle at which any ADAS sensors are viewing the road. Systems like adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning need to be carefully aligned to the correct height. What seems like a routine strut replacement could render these critical safety systems unreliable without proper recalibration.

Wheel Alignments

When you perform a wheel alignment, you're adjusting the vehicle's thrust angle and how it travels down the road. But any ADAS sensors present are calibrated to the old alignment settings. Now your forward-facing radar or steering angle sensors might be pointing slightly left while the vehicle tracks straight, or your lane-keeping system could be working with outdated steering parameters. This can cause these systems to have false positives for any warning—or worse yet, a false negative that it misses entirely.

Bumper Repairs/Replacements

Between the various ADAS sensors (RADAR, LiDAR, cameras), modern bumpers are packed with sensors these days. Even minor bumper repairs can shift these sensors by fractions of a degree.

Remember the math we’ve done before: one degree off at 60 feet means missing your target by a foot. That's why even "simple" bumper repairs often require comprehensive ADAS calibration.

Quarter Panel Repairs

Blind spot monitoring sensors built into quarter panels are incredibly sensitive to positioning. Any body work in these areas, whether from collision repair or even cleaning off rust, can affect sensor alignment. Without proper calibration, these systems might miss vehicles in adjacent lanes or trigger false alerts.

Mirror Replacements

Side mirrors too are packed with cameras and sensors for blind spot detection and 360-degree view systems. Replacing these mirrors isn't as simple as it used to be. Each one requires precise calibration to ensure proper integration with the vehicle's ADAS network. Even aftermarket mirrors with identical specifications need calibration to function correctly.

How Long Does ADAS Calibration Usually Take?

ADAS calibration can vary greatly depending on the sensor type, system complexity, and number of calibrations. 

Overall, any single calibration can take anywhere from 1-3 hours, and some vehicles might need multiple calibrations. For instance, a simple blind spot sensor calibration on a standard issue Honda CR-V might take just an hour in ideal conditions, while a full forward-facing radar and camera calibration on a Mercedes S-Class could require hours of precise setup and testing. 

But on the bright side, at anywhere between $150-400 per calibration, that's revenue you can't afford to miss.

What Tools are Needed for ADAS Calibration?

The right tools make all the difference in ADAS calibration. 

Naturally you’ll need your basic mechanical tools and precision measurement equipment and calibration targets designed to exact specifications. 

However, you'll also need specific software and/or tools to identify which advanced driver assistance systems features require calibration. With how many different types of systems and individual sensor manufacturers on the market, you’ll need the correct calibration processes for each and every system. 

Keep in mind this can be a time consuming process—moreso than you’d think. Which ADAS systems are in a given vehicle not only varies between makes and models, they can vary between trim levels of the exact same vehicle. 

Investing in a software or tool that includes comprehensive VIN decoding capabilities and access to OEM procedures is paramount.

Manufacturer-specific diagnostic equipment often proves essential, as does regular software updating to keep pace with new vehicle models and systems. 

At Revv, we recommend using factory scan tools as opposed to any aftermarket tools. While the upfront cost can be slightly higher, it’s well worth it to mitigate the risk of liability due to an improper calibration. 

You Can't Calibrate What You Can't Identify

ADAS systems are projected to be a $66.56 billion market by 2030. That means more manufacturers making more sensor types offered across more makes and models. The potential combination of different systems is astronomical making it impossible for technicians to know which ADAS features require calibrating for a given repair. 

Revv identifies ADAS calibration requirements in a single step. No more hours spent combing through service information or relying on incomplete scan tool data.

Our hardware-agnostic platform works with whatever calibration equipment you already own or plan to purchase, while our sophisticated VIN decoder instantly identifies every ADAS system that needs attention. 

With 92% of 2024 model year vehicles equipped with at least L1-L3 features of autonomous driving (Partial or Conditional Driving Automation), the question isn't whether to get into ADAS calibration, but when.

Book a demo today and learn how you can stop leaving ADAS calibration revenue on the table.

Author: Revv Editorial
Author: Bryan Grover