Vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) has become all but standard in today’s vehicles. ADAS systems are designed to enhance the safety and comfort of the driving experience. They include features such as lane departure warnings, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and rear-view cameras. Some of the latest ADAS systems now incorporate LiDAR technology further to improve the accuracy and reliability of these systems.
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses lasers to create a 3D map of the environment around a vehicle. LiDAR technology is used in various applications, including autonomous driving and robotics and vehicle damage measurement and identification systems.
One of the key roles that LiDAR plays in ADAS systems is to provide more accurate and detailed information about the environment around the vehicle. This information enhances the accuracy and reliability of features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic emergency braking. LiDAR technology is particularly well-suited to these applications because it can detect and measure objects in real-time, even in challenging environments, such as inclement weather or low-light conditions.
However, when a vehicle equipped with ADAS systems that utilize LiDAR technology is involved in a collision, repairing and calibrating these systems can present significant challenges for collision repairers. The complexity and sensitivity of these systems mean that it is essential for repairers to be trained and equipped to handle them correctly.
One of the biggest challenges in servicing ADAS systems after a collision is ensuring that the systems are properly calibrated. Calibration aligns the sensors and cameras used in ADAS systems with the vehicle’s body and control systems to restore the system to the manufacturer's specifications. This is a crucial step in ensuring that the ADAS systems function correctly and that the vehicle operates safely on the road. LiDAR technology in particular requires precise calibration to maintain its accuracy and reliability.
Unfortunately, many collision repairers lack the training and equipment necessary to calibrate ADAS systems properly, and some may ignore the calibration requirements entirely. This can have serious consequences, as ignoring the calibration requirements can result in ADAS systems that are misaligned or inoperable. In some cases, this can even lead to a dangerous driving situation, such as a collision avoidance system that fails to activate when it should.
Another challenge in servicing ADAS systems after a collision is ensuring that the damages are properly repaired. Often aftermarket or used replacement panels are utilized in a repair that can interfere with the normal operation of ADAS systems. Also, due to the placement of some ADAS systems, certain areas of the vehicle may no longer be acceptable as a conventional repair area.
With these challenges in mind, there are steps that collision repairers can take to ensure that they can service and calibrate ADAS systems properly. One of the most important steps is to invest in the training and equipment necessary to handle these systems or partner with someone specializing in ADAS system repair. Another important factor to consider is documenting the scope of the repair.
This is where the Dents.co Damage Appraisal App can help. The Dents.co app captures key repair information such as substrate, damage severity, and clearly denotes the size and location of the damage with digital markings and a 3D depth map overlay. Combined with manufacturer procedures, you can quickly and easily document your repair decision making sure the customer gets a safe, quality repair every time.