ADAS Calibration Targets: What They Are and What To Look For
Which ADAS calibration targets should your shop get?
Over the past few years, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become standard in many cars. This trend will continue, as a 2021 federal act required that autonomous emergency braking and other key safety features will be in all new passenger vehicles by 2027.
These systems rely on cameras and sensors to function correctly and can offer significant safety and functionality benefits. They are, however, highly sensitive, and often need to be recalibrated after events like wheel alignments, windshield replacements, and even minor car accidents.
ADAS calibrations can ensure that all sensors and cameras are aligned and working correctly, but they require specialized equipment and procedures. In this post, we’ll discuss the best types of ADAS calibration targets for mechanics and shops who plan to offer ADAS services.
What’s involved in an ADAS calibration?
ADAS calibration is the process of ensuring a vehicle's cameras, radar sensors, lidar sensors, and sonar systems are properly aligned and functioning correctly. These systems are what enable modern safety features like:
- Forward collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot monitoring
- Park assist
There are two types of ADAS calibrations: Static and dynamic.
Static calibrations occur in a highly controlled environment, which requires level flooring, good lighting, and enough space. Dynamic calibrations, meanwhile, occur in standard driving conditions while the vehicle is moving.
What is a calibration target?
ADAS calibration targets are precisely designed patterns and shapes used to recalibrate a vehicle's ADAS sensors and cameras. And if you’re ready to start offering calibration services, you’ll need targets.
You can think of targets as sophisticated eye charts for your car's sensors and cameras. These targets come in various forms, each designed for specific vehicle makes and potentially vehicle models.
Static and dynamic calibrations use different types of targets.
Static calibrations may use reflective panels, boards with different geometric shapes and patterns, and 3D objects for radar calibration.
The different types of targets include:
- Camera targets: These static targets are used to aim and calibrate cameras, and may include geometric shapes and patterns.
- Radar/reflective targets: Reflective targets are used to calibrate a radar sensor’s radio waves.
- Heated targets: Designed to calibrate night vision, these targets are essential for thermal imaging cameras.
- LiDAR targets: These targets reflect light back at the sensor for calibration purposes.
Here’s an example of different camera targets from ADAS Depot:
Dynamic calibrations, meanwhile, will likely use features like road markings calibrations in real-world driving conditions.
Which calibration targets do I need?
When choosing which calibration targets you purchase for your shop, it’s essential to consider the following:
- Vehicles serviced: Purchase targets for the makes and models you service frequently. There’s little point in purchasing targets for Mercedes cars if you almost exclusively work on Hondas, Toyotas, and Subarus, for example.
- Calibrations offered: You only need the targets for the types of calibrations you offer. You don’t need reflective targets, for example, if you’re only calibrating cameras. In general, however, we recommend offering as many calibration services as possible for maximum revenue.
- Budget: Some targets may be more expensive, especially for targets that may be difficult to find or that are only available from specific suppliers. That may factor into your decision if you’re on a tight budget.
- Shop space: Do you have the space in your shop to offer each type of calibration? If not, that may impact which services you offer and which calibrations you need. Learn more about ADAS floor and space requirements to make sure your shop can accommodate calibration procedures.
Keep in mind that the exact number and type of targets you need will be specific to each make and model. Check the OEM requirements of the vehicles you service to make sure you have the right type and quantity of each type of needed target.
Where to purchase ADAS calibration targets
You can purchase ADAS calibration targets through multiple vendors and manufacturers.
One option is to purchase OEM-sourced targets. These may be most cost-effective in some circumstances, but aftermarket targets from third-party vendors may actually be higher quality. Make sure you’re reading customer reviews about the targets you’re purchasing.
Most manufacturers also allow a one to three day subscription for OEM tools, but it requires that your shop has a laptop and vehicle connection interface (VCI) that communicates with its software.
As a note: You can technically create DIY targets, but we strongly recommend against this. Targets are an essential part of accurate calibrations, and precision is a necessity. As a result, purchasing professionally manufactured targets that abide by OEM specifications is the best approach. However, some OEMs have a way to create your own target, which is printed from their service information; these can be reliable and may be cost-effective.
What else do I need?
Targets are essential ADAS calibrations, but you’ll likely need the following tools to use them properly:
- Frames and stands: This equipment holds your targets in place to ensure accurate alignments.
- Target positioning system: These systems will tell you exactly where your targets should go.
- A controlled environment: Well-lit shops with level floors and at least 30 x 50 feet of space is essential for static calibrations.
- Calibration software: Tools like RevvHQ can provide crucial information for accurate calibrations, including OEM-specific procedures and requirements for each make and model.
Identify all calibration requirements with Revv
If you aren’t already offering ADAS calibration services yet, you should.
While purchasing calibration tools and equipment can be an upfront investment, it can significantly increase billable procedures and your overall profit— especially since so many cars now have ADAS features, and even minor repairs may trigger the need for calibrations.
And, with RevvHQ’s software, you can know exactly which tools and procedures are involved.
Our AI-powered software grants access to vast databases that have a wide range of vehicle OEM and calibration requirements. You can identify all billable repairs for each vehicle and ensure you’re following vehicle-specific calibration procedures
Ready to offer calibration services and boost your revenue? Get your free demo today.
