We’ve come a long way: less than 150 years ago, cars didn’t even have windshields, and today, smart cars with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are helping drive themselves!
Today’s ADAS are part of a long tradition of trying to make cars safer—from laminate windshields, to seat belts, to airbags, to anti-lock brakes.
We’re covering everything you need to know about this safety feature: what it is, which types are found in most modern cars, and how your car’s ADAS might be affected by your windshield. Keep reading to find out!
What is ADAS?
ADAS stands for “advanced driver assistance systems.” These systems may be built standard in the vehicle or offered as aftermarket features to be added later.
ADAS helps the driver operate the vehicle more safely and effectively by improving the driver’s ability to react to dangers on the road. They do so via a human-machine interface with sensors and cameras that provide early warnings and automate certain systems.
Some types of ADAS include the following:
- Adaptive cruise control: This system allows you to maintain speed and the distance between your car and the car in front of you. If the car in front slows down, adaptive cruise control slows your car also.
- Backup camera: This system turns on when you put your vehicle into reverse gear. It provides a view of the area behind your car you wouldn’t see otherwise.
- Forward collision warning: This system monitors your vehicle’s speed as well as the speed of the vehicle in front of it. If your vehicle gets too close to the vehicle in front, the system sends an alert warning of a possible collision.
- Lane departure warning: This system alerts you if you drift outside your lane or merge into another lane without using turn signals.
- Lane change assistance: This system uses sensors to monitor your blind spots. It alerts you if another vehicle approaches your blind spot as you change lanes.
These aren’t the only ADAS available. Many more ADAS exist, from automatic parking, to traction control, to emergency driver assistance. There are different levels of ADAS, depending on how much control the ADAS has. At the lowest level—like backup cameras—ADAS simply offer the driver more information. At higher levels—like automatic parking—ADAS can control the car for the driver.
In the future, ADAS are likely to become even more complex and sophisticated. For example, ADAS may eventually use wireless networks to allow cars to “talk” to each other. This would result in a more automated driving experience.
Essentially, ADAS are designed to remove human error from driving—since human error is what causes most car accidents.
How does ADAS work?
A car’s ADAS uses cameras and sensors positioned around the vehicle. The sensors provide data from radar, light detection, and more. This data is then used to either alert the driver or make decisions (to slow the vehicle, change lanes, etc.).
Why You Need ADAS Calibration
Properly designed and calibrated, ADAS can be an extremely useful safety feature in the modern car.
That said, it’s important to be aware that these systems must be maintained. For the advanced driver assistance system to work, all of the components need to be in good working order. (That includes the various cameras, sensors, etc. all over the car.) If the sensors are damaged or calibrated incorrectly, this could affect the ADAS. (Even just one degree off in the calibration can have disastrous effects.) In the worst-case scenario, this could cause the system to steer the car into oncoming traffic or a car in your blind spot!
The sensitive components of ADAS can be damaged in car accidents—even minor fender benders—and even through windshield damage. (Some of the sensors are mounted in or very near the front windshield.)
That’s why ADAS calibration is so important when it comes to windshield repair and replacement.
Windshield repair and replacement can affect your car’s ADAS, so you need to know that the technicians can calibrate the system properly after.
Call Us Today for a Free Quote
Our pro technicians have mastered the two best windshield camera calibration tools on the market today: Opti-Aim and Autel’s MaxiSys ADAS. These cutting-edge solutions offer millimeter-level calibration accuracy—plus the peace of mind that your vehicle’s safety systems will be there for you when you need them most.
Call us today to learn more and for a free quote.
