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What is ADAS calibration?
Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are on-board equipments that sense the car’s environment and can alert the driver (passive systems) or in most dangerous cases take control of the vehicle to avoid the hazard (active systems). While they have been implemented for over 50 years, starting with the anti-lock braking systems (ABS), they have seen a steep growth in the recent years. Indeed, with the development of new technologies such as radar, LiDAR, or image processing, new features were developed such as adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency brake, increasing the safety of the car’s occupants. Those two features generally rely on a camera placed behind the windshield, at the top.
In order to recalibrate, it is necessary to position a calibration panel at a precise distance from the vehicle, taking into account different parameters such as symmetry and thrust axis. To achieve this, a mobile structure (often a wheeled bench), a system of measuring devices (usually lasers), and reference points on the vehicle (usually targets fixed by claws to the vehicle’s tyres) are required. Indeed, it is first necessary to determine precisely how the car and the calibration panel are located in relation to each other before the mobile structure can be properly positioned. Finally, the launch of the calibration in the vehicle’s on-board computer is controlled by a digital tool.
When a windshield is replaced, even if the exact same model is used, it is rarely fitted in the exact same manner. For example, the quantity of gas ket used can cause a slight angle, or simply the glazing might not be fully centered when fixed. Whatever the reason, this induces minor positioning variations at the level of the car frame which can have a major impact on the functioning of the sensor. Indeed, since the latter is fixed on the windshield and analyses the road several hundreds of meters away, aiming 1° too far to the left could mean assessing the up ahead portion road with an error of 3.5 meters to the left - basically considering the opposite lane as its own. To prevent this issue, cameras come equipped with recalibrating procedures which digitally account for the new positioning of the camera.
Current calibration tools carry out these two phases simultaneously (determination of the position and panel placement), greatly complicating the task of the technician who, with each movement, runs the risk of losing his measurement reference or modifying a previously correct distance. For this reason, the calibration process is often long, and the accuracy achieved greatly depends on the human factor, forcing repair centers to limit the number of jobs per day. In addition to the issues in normal use of the calibration bench, the latter cannot be transported, preventing technicians from using it in proximity booths to the detriment of customers.
Introducing
Shining a new light on calibration
Precise laser 3D positioning system
Quick and easy to use, calibration is now a child's play
Lightweight and sturdy, designed to be transported
Full compatibility with current and future ADAS procedures
ADAS calibration anywhere in less than 10 minutes
Our tool separates the position acquisition phase and the movement of the calibration panel into two steps, simplifying the work of the technician and limiting errors. Thanks to our laser rangefinder and accompanying software, positioning data is captured in the blink of an eye, before being automatically translated into clear instructions to move the panel.
1. Deploy
Thanks to its retractable design, our tool saves space while still becoming functional in less than a minute.
Simply aim for targets using our 3-axes laser: data is instantly integrated in the positioning software.
2. Measure
2x
faster
Designed and tested with glass replacement technicians, our tool optimises efficiency.
The software automatically guides you to precisely position the panel in front of the car, for a successful calibration.
3. Move
Just launch the car’s calibration process, dismount the tool, and you are ready for the next customer!
Bringing value to the AGR market
In Europe, aiming to increase road safety, several types of ADAS will be mandatory by mid-2022, fostering this market. In terms of business, the global market value is expected to grow by about 20% each year, from €40 billion in 2018 to €189 billion in 2026. As time goes by, more and more cars are therefore expected to be equipped with such technology, something that France Pare-Brise has already started to witness.
In France, between 2018 and 2020, windshields including ADAS skyrocketed from a mere 1% to 23%, a trend that is according to some analysts expected to to rise upwards of 50% by 2030. In the case of vehicle fleets, this could increase much more rapidly as the renewing cycles only span 3 to 4 years: by 2025 it could already come close to market saturation.
« Aiming for the target is fun to do and user-friendly : in one step you can place the calibration panel. »
Dominique | ADAS instructor
« It simplifies the calibration in repair centers and opens up
new possibilities. »
Pierre-Yves Desjeux
France Pare-Brise Deputy CEO
« Frankly, for a first time, it’s good, it’s quite fast. You aim, it takes the measurements, you change! »
Franck | Technician
« A gain of time and a mobile potential to calibrate off-site in the long run. »
Yohann | Technician
« In my proximity booths it would be royal, I was waiting impatiently for someone to find a solution. »
Sandra | Center manager