Active ADAS Systems: What Shop Owners Need to Know

Today's vehicles are becoming smarter and safer thanks to active ADAS systems. These technologies are revolutionizing road safety by actively preventing accidents before they happen. 

For your customers, this means fewer crashes, lower insurance premiums, and greater peace of mind on the road. And for your shop, it represents a growing opportunity to provide specialized, high-value services.

As these systems become standard in more vehicles, your expertise in maintaining and calibrating them will become increasingly valuable to your customers. In this post, we’ll discuss how active ADAS systems work, how they’re different from passive systems, and what shop owners need to know. 

What are active ADAS systems? 

Active ADAS safety features are technologies that continuously monitor the driving environment and take action to prevent accidents before they occur. These systems use sensors and cameras to detect potential dangers and either warn the driver or automatically control vehicle functions like braking or steering.

What makes these features "active" is that they work proactively while the vehicle is in operation, not just during a crash. They represent a fundamental shift from simply protecting occupants during a collision to actually avoiding the collision altogether. These systems are always on, constantly scanning the road environment, and ready to intervene when necessary.

Active vs. passive ADAS systems: What’s the difference? 

It’s important to understand the difference between passive and active safety features in your car. 

Passive safety systems work during or after a crash to reduce injuries. They are built-in mechanics that protect the driver at all times, or that kick-in if triggered (like airbags going off during a crash). These features don't prevent accidents, but make them less dangerous when they happen. They include:

• Basic mechanical-locking seatbelts. 
• Crumple zones that absorb crash energy.
• Reinforced frames and safety cages.
• Most standard headrests, which prevent whiplash. 

These systems have been around for decades, though there have been recent improvements. Airbag systems and newer seatbelt components, for example, are computer controlled and may use impact sensors to activate. 

They don't require special sensors or computers, and work without electricity or activation.

Meanwhile, active systems work before a crash happens, and may prevent accidents altogether. They use sensors and cameras to constantly monitor road conditions and take action when needed. They include:

• Automatic emergency braking (AEB).
• Lane keeping assistance.
• Blind spot detection.
• Adaptive cruise control.
• Cross-traffic alerts.

These systems use advanced technology like radar, cameras, and ultrasonic sensors to constantly check road conditions. They're the future of vehicle safety and require special tools and knowledge to service.

The importance and efficacy of active ADAS systems 

Active ADAS systems have become pivotal in enhancing vehicle safety by actively aiding drivers in preventing accidents. 

One study found that AEB systems can decrease rear-end collisions by up to 45%.  Another found that vehicles equipped with lane-keeping assistance reduced crash rates by as much as 19.1%, and driver monitoring systems decreased crash rates by 14%. 

And we’re not just talking about fender benders here— ADAS systems facilitate severe accident mitigation. If they can’t prevent a crash, they may be able to reduce a collision’s severity when it does occur. Drivers with ADAS vehicles are 27% less likely to sustain bodily injury compared to drivers in vehicles without ADAS features. 

As a result, these features are critical to drivers, and are now essential components of a vehicle. Since even minor repairs often require ADAS systems to be recalibrated, shop owners should strongly consider offering ADAS calibration services if they don’t already. Otherwise, customers are increasingly likely to take their vehicle to a shop that can perform repairs and recalibrations in one go. 

When calibration is needed for active ADAS Systems 

The technology that supports ADAS features— including cameras, radar sensors, LiDAR sensors, and sonar sensors— is highly sensitive. As a result, recalibration is often needed after even minor repairs or incidents like fender benders. 

ADAS systems typically require recalibration after: 

• Windshield replacement.
• Collision repairs.
• Suspension work.
• Wheel alignment.
• Bumper replacement or repair.
• Module replacement. 

In some cases, customers will come in reporting alerts that their ADAS system isn’t working or that it requires calibration. In other cases, they might describe problems like their car drifting slightly while they’re driving (which may flag a problem with a feature like lane keep assist). 

Many customers, however, aren’t aware that their ADAS systems will need calibration. It’s important to educate them on when these calibrations will be needed and that you can offer them. Automatically recommending recalibration following repairs and including it in your original estimate is a good choice. Knowing how to communicate the value of your ADAS services is important. 

Offering ADAS services to your clients 

If you’re ready to start offering ADAS services to your clients, keep the following in mind: 

• You can start small: You don't need to invest in everything at once. Consider starting with the most common calibrations for vehicles you regularly service.
• Consider partnering options: Some shops partner with mobile calibration services or nearby dealerships until they're ready to invest in their own equipment.
• Leverage pricing strategies: ADAS calibration is specialized work that requires significant investment in equipment and training. Price these services accordingly, and be ready to explain the value to customers.

For more information, check out our guide on getting started with ADAS services. It will go over information you need, including what types of equipment, shop requirements, and calibration software you need. 

Increasing revenue and securing your client base with ADAS services

The future of auto repair is here, and ADAS calibration services are at the forefront. These services aren't just nice-to-have anymore – they're becoming essential for shops that want to remain competitive and profitable in today's market.

ADAS calibrations have become a major income driver for forward-thinking auto shops. As more vehicles on the road come equipped with these advanced systems, the demand for proper calibration services will only increase. Consider this: even routine services like windshield replacements and wheel alignments now trigger the need for ADAS calibrations. If your shop isn't offering these services, your customers will inevitably start looking elsewhere.

Ready to get started offering ADAS services? Check out the ADAS tools you’ll need to do so.