Car manufacturers are increasingly striving for safety, both for the driver and their passengers as well as for other vehicles on the road. This is achieved through technological advances, such as the incorporation of the ADAS system.
What is it? Why should all cars pay attention to it? In this article from Ralarsa, automobile glass workshop, we tell you everything that maintaining a good ADAS system calibration involves and how it contributes to better and safer driving on the roads.
What is the ADAS system?
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. This is what the acronym stands for. Although it is a method designed to make each and every trip taken by car safer, it is important to emphasise that, as its name indicates, it assists the driver — therefore it is not an autopilot. This means that, even if the ADAS system calibration is correct, the person behind the wheel must not neglect their attention at any time.
This method is made up of various cameras or sensors that detect certain signals from the surroundings to ensure maximum comfort during driving. For this reason, the vast majority of vehicles now incorporate it as standard, and since July 2022 it has been mandatory in every newly registered vehicle in the European Union.
Although in many cases these sensors are located in the car windscreen or bumper, there are various types of cameras depending on where they are located and the information they transmit to the driver:
- Pedestrian Collision Warning (PCW). Responsible for alerting the presence of pedestrians during travel, as well as cyclists. Some more advanced systems even warn of the presence of animals.
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW). An alert when something is in front of the car. There are occasions when this function is very useful, for example in the case of sudden traffic jams.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). With this method, a specific speed can be programmed so that the vehicle maintains that speed, as well as keeping the correct distance with the car in front. In this way, the driver can rest their right foot.
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW). In this case, the sensors detect the lines delimiting the lanes, so if this limit is crossed without indicating it with the indicator, the driver will be warned.
- Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS). Linked to the previous point, this adds steering control so that once the vehicle has crossed the lane line, it returns to its original lane.
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD). Through lights or vibrations to warn the driver, the system will alert when another car intends to overtake, and due to blind spots, it cannot be seen in the mirrors.
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). In addition to warning of the presence of an object or person right in front of the car, it is capable of activating the vehicle’s braking system, as well as activating the hazard lights or emergency indicators. This automatic brake is useful both for driving and when parking.
- Driver Fatigue Detection (DFD). Lastly, correct ADAS system calibration also involves rigorously analysing the driver’s movements. In this way, the car itself will attempt to warn the driver when it is the right time to take a break and rest. It could be said that it fulfils the function of a fatigue monitor.
All these aspects are vital in significantly reducing road accidents. In fact, in our country, and according to data from the Directorate-General for Traffic, if all cars had the ADAS system installed, the risk of a serious accident would be reduced by almost 60%.
If you also want to contribute to this and wish to carry out an ADAS system calibration carried out by professionals, guaranteeing calm and safe driving, visit us. In our case, every windscreen replacement requires recalibration of the camera, and at Ralarsa, we have the necessary systems to do it. Find your nearest Ralarsa automobile glass workshop in the search tool on our website and put yourself in the hands of specialised technicians. Check, as well, the entire catalogue of services we offer our customers. At Ralarsa, we like to take care of you — we are waiting for you!
