What is ADAS and Why Is It Important?

Released On 28th Oct 2024

What is ADAS and Why Is It Important?

In recent years, vehicle safety technology has advanced rapidly, with many cars now featuring Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). These systems are designed to enhance safety, reduce human error, and make driving easier and less stressful. But what exactly is ADAS, and why is it so important for drivers today? In this post, we’ll explore the various ADAS features, how they work, and why keeping these systems calibrated is essential for your safety.

What is ADAS?

ADAS, or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, are a collection of technologies that assist drivers by monitoring the surroundings of the vehicle and intervening when necessary. Using cameras, radar, ultrasonic sensors, and even infrared, ADAS systems continuously gather data to help prevent accidents and improve safety. By alerting drivers to potential hazards or, in some cases, taking automatic action, ADAS can reduce the likelihood of collisions and increase overall driving safety.

Common ADAS features include:

  • Lane-Keeping Assist – Detects lane markings and helps the driver stay within them by providing steering assistance.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control – Adjusts the car’s speed to maintain a safe following distance from vehicles ahead.
  • Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Detects when a collision is imminent and applies the brakes if the driver doesn’t respond in time.
  • Traffic Sign Recognition – Reads and displays traffic signs like speed limits, helping drivers stay compliant.
  • Blind Spot Detection – Alerts drivers when there’s a vehicle in their blind spot.

Each of these features plays a vital role in enhancing vehicle safety, reducing the burden on the driver, and even potentially saving lives.

Why is ADAS Important?

The primary purpose of ADAS is to protect drivers, passengers, and other road users by reducing the risk of accidents. According to road safety studies, a significant percentage of accidents are caused by human error, often from distraction or slow reaction times. ADAS can help compensate for these moments, providing an extra layer of security that traditional driving relies solely on the driver for.

ADAS is especially beneficial in challenging driving conditions like heavy traffic, poor weather, or nighttime driving, where it becomes harder for drivers to stay vigilant. For example, blind spot monitoring can prevent an unintended lane change collision, and automatic emergency braking can reduce or avoid impact altogether in sudden-stop situations.

Why Does ADAS Need Calibration?

While ADAS features offer impressive safety benefits, they are only effective when properly calibrated. ADAS calibration is the process of adjusting the sensors and cameras that inform these systems, ensuring they’re accurately aligned with the vehicle’s specifications. Here’s why it’s necessary:

  1. Maintaining Accuracy: ADAS components like cameras and sensors work in precise alignment to monitor surroundings accurately. Small changes to the vehicle—like a windscreen replacement or suspension work—can throw off this alignment, affecting ADAS accuracy.
  2. Safety Compliance: After certain types of repairs or collisions, ADAS calibration may be required by law or insurance guidelines. Ensuring that these systems work as intended is essential for your vehicle to meet legal safety standards and retain insurance coverage.
  3. Improving Reliability: Even slight misalignments can reduce ADAS effectiveness, meaning safety features may not work when you need them most. Calibration ensures that your ADAS is dependable and capable of responding accurately in real time.
  4. Manufacturer Specifications: Every vehicle manufacturer has specific calibration requirements to ensure ADAS functions correctly. Skipping or delaying calibration can result in your vehicle no longer meeting these standards, which could impact its resale value and reliability.

When Should You Recalibrate ADAS?

ADAS calibration isn’t something that needs to be done frequently, but there are certain situations where it’s necessary:

  • Windscreen Replacement: ADAS cameras are often attached to or located near the windscreen. If your windscreen has been replaced, recalibration is essential to ensure these systems work correctly.
  • Wheel Alignment or Suspension Adjustments: Even minor changes to a vehicle’s suspension or alignment can disrupt the calibration of ADAS components.
  • Collision Repairs: If your car has been involved in a collision—even a minor one—it’s advisable to recalibrate ADAS to restore safety functionality.
  • Tyre Changes or Severe Curb Impact: When new tyres are installed or if the vehicle sustains heavy wheel damage, ADAS calibration can ensure sensors are correctly oriented.

We really hope that information is useful... Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become an essential part of modern vehicle safety, working tirelessly behind the scenes to protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike. However, to maintain this protective shield, it’s crucial to keep ADAS calibrated and in proper working order. If you have any questions, please feel free to make contact with us.