Vehicle accidents sadly do happen on Australian roads. While it’s hard to put a number on the number of accidents that take place each year, we do know that in the 12 months to February 2022, there were 1137 fatalities due to road accidents – an increase of 2.3% from the previous 12 months.

However, as new cars are released each year, more and more are being fitted with in-built safety features. Known as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), this technology works to automate and support the driver experience and aid in a safer journey.

In this article, we will outline exactly what ADAS is, as well as the features that aim to provide you with a safer experience while out on the road.

What is ADAS?

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) consist of many crucial road safety features designed to assist and protect the driver by mitigating, or alerting them to, potential hazards on the roads. This gives the driver more time to react and makes for safer driving decisions.

These days, most modern vehicles come with several standard pre-installed safety features as part of ADAS technology. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), Australasia’s independent vehicle safety authority, then tests this technology in simulated road accident situations.

Upon review, they award an ANCAP Safety Rating to each vehicle to indicate its ability to protect those in and around the car in the event of an accident, based on its safety features – with 5 stars being the maximum rating given.

Why is ADAS important to drivers and vehicle occupants?

Unfortunately, the majority of accidents on Australian roads are caused by human error.

This can be due to distractions on the road or inside the vehicle, lapses in concentration, fatigue, or even a simple lack of experience driving on busy roads.

ADAS vehicle technology works to warn the driver in case any hazards are on the road, or while manoeuvring, allowing time for the driver to take control and correct their vehicle. In some vehicle models, ADAS technology can even take action on behalf of the driver to avoid these hazards such as auto braking or lane assist. If this technology can see things before you do, and those things that you don’t, then it can help to predict and reduce the likelihood of an accident.

Not only does this help protect the driver and the occupants of the vehicle, but also any other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians on the road as well.

ADAS technology is designed to help save lives on our roads by aiming to reduce driver error and helping them navigate and react to a potential hazard.

The key features of ADAS technology

There are more than 200 vehicle models with an ANCAP safety rating in Australia. Here, we list some of the ADAS features that help to increase a vehicle’s safety rating and improve driver performance. As every vehicle is different, we recommend you check with your manufacturer or refer to your vehicle manual to identify what safety features your car has.

1. Reversing Camera

In vehicles with a reversing camera, the camera automatically activates when the car is put into reverse, providing the driver with a clear view of what’s behind them. Newer model reversing cameras now also provide guidelines that indicate where the vehicle will end up at its current angle, and proximity alerts will sound as the vehicle gets closer to an object behind it, and some can even alert you to approaching vehicles and pedestrians.

2. Collision Avoidance

Collision avoidance sensors operate while the car is moving in either a forward or reverse direction, depending on the vehicle. When an object is detected in front of the vehicle, the sensors work to apply the brakes accordingly. If the object is simply another vehicle moving in the same direction, the system works to maintain a safe driving distance behind it, regulating to the same speed as the vehicle. However, if the object ahead is stationary, the system will pull the car up as quickly and safely as possible to avoid a collision.

3. Lane Departure Warning System

This safety feature uses forward-facing cameras to monitor lane markings around your vehicle and alert the driver when the vehicle unintentionally approaches or crosses these markings. Some Lane Departure Systems even take over control to move the vehicle safely back into the lane.

4. Blind Spot Monitoring

Blind spot detection systems use sensors to provide drivers with an indication of whether there are other vehicles sitting in their blind spot. The system will then sound an alarm or light up to warn the driver not to move into the lane at that point in time.

Of course, whilst these safety features are important, it’s still everyone’s responsibility to look before manuovering, to drive safely and responsibly, and to always follow the road rules.

Why recalibrate your vehicle’s ADAS system

Did you know that if the camera is a few millimetres out, it may not function as the manufacturer intended, which could increase the risk of collision? So, it’s important to always ensure that your vehicle’s ADAS system is working correctly.

The moments when you need to recalibrate your ADAS cameras or radar sensors are usually when your car is involved in an accident, or you when you have to replace your cracked windscreen.

Simply ask your smash repairer, insurance company or a vehicle glass provider who is authorised to perform and ADAS recalibration.

Your vehicle’s ADAS must be maintained regularly to ensure optimal performance as the original manufacturer intended.

ADAS Cal-Tech® recalibration with O'Brien® AutoGlass

At O'Brien AutoGlass, we understand the importance of safety for everyone on our roads. That’s why, when we replace your cracked windscreen, we also offer ADAS recalibration services at the same time. Not only does this save you time but it also means you can drive away with confidence, knowing you can still trust those safety features such as auto braking and lane detection.

Our highly trained O'Brien technicians use state-of-the-art technology to perform the recalibration. Upon completion they will also provide you with a recalibration certificate for your peace of mind.

Check out our quick video explainer on what ADAS is & how it works

For more information, call us on 1800 059 829 or send us a message to speak with our friendly experts.

The post How ADAS Technology Works To Keep You Safe While Driving appeared first on O'Brien.

More and more technology is being built into windscreens and as things like heads up display (more on that later) become common practice, O'Brien^® stays close to the changing technology and adapts accordingly.

Already in operation in Australia is Cal-Tech^®, an innovative recalibration solution for various types of vehicles that O'Brien^® has developed in partnership with BOSCH. Cal-Tech^® is available at all O'Brien^® AutoGlass branches and means the advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) built into a car (parking assist, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot detectors are just some examples) are recalibrated at the same time the windscreen is replaced or repaired.

In Australia, the number of vehicles on the road, equipped with driver assistance technology, is estimated to jump from 21% in 2019 to 46% by 2025. O'Brien^® has seen a 175% increase in demand for Cal-Tech^® ADAS Recalibration in the last 12-months and continues to work with leading industry players and research institutions to make sure we’re always at the cutting edge of this developing technology.

Compared to what is in the pipeline for automotive technology, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Dr Chris Davies, Head of Technical Research and Innovation at Belron^® Technical (part of Belron^®, which is the parent company of O'Brien Australia) shared with us some insights on what we can expect into 2021 and beyond.

Spoiler alert – no time travelling hovercrafts on the horizon just yet.

Q: What will be the biggest change to windscreen technology this year? 

A: We don’t expect a radical change in windscreen technology this year, but the steady growth of forward-facing camera fitment will continue.  In Europe, it will be mandatory for vehicle manufacturers to introduce advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) into their new models by 2022 and on all models sold by 2024, with a consortium pushing for a similar introduction in the US.  This means that camera fitment is set to grow and we expect that these will be fitted to 100% of new vehicles from 2024 in Europe.  We also anticipate steady growth in heads up display (HUD) technology fitment over time as vehicle manufacturers focus more on safety and ensuring that drivers stay focused on the road ahead.  The new Mercedes S Class has an augmented reality windscreen where not only is vehicle performance information, such as speed and fuel levels, projected on the screen, but also additional driver relevant information such as navigation instructions.  These technologies will not only impact the windscreen complexity and the installation process but could also require additional recalibration steps as the functionality is dependent on the forward-facing camera.

 Q: Could you explain a bit more about augmented technology in windscreens and how this will be used in the future? 

A: Heads up display (HUD) and Augmented Reality (AR) windscreens are intended to keep the driver focused on the road ahead by providing essential information in their line of sight, rather than on another device in the car.  Our glass suppliers consistently inform us that they are working on AR projects with the vehicle manufacturers and that they expect to launch products in the near future.  If the AR system is to overlay road and route relevant information onto the glass then the technology must know what is in front of the vehicle and where the driver is looking.  This means that we expect the ADAS system forward-facing camera to monitor the road ahead and also potentially driver-facing cameras will be required for seamless operation.  The complexity of an AR windscreen will probably impact on the cost of materials and will add to the difficulty of the replacement job in future with recalibration of the camera/s and adjustment of relevant projection optics being needed.

Q: How far away is this technology? 

A: Mercedes is already introducing this technology on their premium level S-Class, but we expect this to filter down to other models over time.  Over the next 2 to 3 years we expect other vehicle manufacturers to introduce this technology.

Q: How will O'Brien^® technology have to adapt to cater to this new technology? What is already in place? 

A: Belron^® Technical will work on identifying the correct processes, skill and technology requirements to replace the glass and recalibrate the vehicle technology to help ensure the safe functioning of all systems.  O'Brien^® will need to ensure that the replacement parts are fit for purpose and that the technicians are supported with the relevant training and availability of tools and recalibration technology.

Click here to find out more about O'Brien^® recalibration services using Cal-Tech^®.

To learn more about Chris, and his global knowledge and expertise on all things related to Automotive Technology and ADAS, you can follow him on LinkedIn

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