9 minute read
PANE IN THE ADAS
from Bodyworx 7#1
Windshield replacement in the ADAS era
BY HOWARD BERG
Howard Berg, regional sales manager— Canada at Fuyao North America Inc.
ADAS stands for advanced driver assistance system. It refers to any electronic system that assists the driver while driving and is intended to improve vehicle safety.
It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of the new vehicles sold in Canada today have some sort of ADAS technology built into them. It is projected that figure could jump to more than 50 percent by 2023.
This technology is designed to work together with other systems to automate the vehicle while enhancing its safety.This is done by warning the driver of potential issues and ultimately avoid collisions.
Adaptive systems are ones that adapt vehicle settings based on input from the surrounding environment. Automated systems take over certain functions that the driver cannot do safely.Monitoring systems use sensors, cameras, or other means to observe the surrounding area or driving of the vehicle and assess whether a correction needs to be made. Warning systems alert the driver to potential issues in their own driving or the driving of others that could increase the risk of injury to those in the vehicle. ADAS technology allows the systems in the vehicle to function properly and is built into a vehicle’s windshield. This technology will require more rigorous standards and qualifications for auto glass technicians. Replacing a broken windshield is not as simple as replacing the glass—some ADAS windshields have modules or cameras built into them that need to be calibrated in order to function properly
Many features of ADAS are designed to capture external information through the windshields, allowing the vehicle’s computer to quickly analyze and efficiently provide the necessary action. The technology requires the automotive glass to meet or exceed the requirements in order to not reduce, distort or impede the signal, which ultimately may cause the vehicle to react incorrectly.
As a result, automotive glass manufacturers must meet the requirements for the ADAS systems. These requirements include choosing the right raw materials, investing in product engineering, and setting up the proper quality inspection standards for production. Every car manufacturer has its own specifications for ADAS calibration. These differences range from manufacturer to manufacturer, and in many instances, the same manufacturer will have differences from model to model.
Only trust manufacturers who have the proven experience to produce the original specifications of auto glazing, which enable the ADAS system to be recalibrated. Precise calibration ensures correct pitch, yaw and roll of the camera.
Ultimately, access to the ADAS requirements and glass specifications is key to making consistent ADAS glass. Different car manufacturers have different approaches to specific ADAS designs for their specific models.
ADAS sensors or cameras are most commonly mounted on the glass. Once a windshield has been replaced, the position of the sensor or camera has ultimately changed—even the slightest change will cause the need for calibration. Recalibrating the camera or sensor after the replacement of the windshield is therefore necessary—whether or not OEM glass has been installed.
In order to re-calibrate the ADAS windshields, special training, equipment and expertise are required. There are three types of calibrations: static, dynamic and a combination of the two.
Static Calibration
This type of calibration is performed in a shop with specialized calibration tools like electronic devices and laser targets specific to each model. Each vehicle manufacturer requires different target boards and specific predetermined standards set by the vehicle manufacturer.
Examples of some requirements for static calibration: • Clean and level floor with minimum 10 m depth from rear bumper to the target board • Walls and floors cannot be black or white and cannot be a checkerboard pattern • Walls must be free of posters • Technician’s clothing cannot be black or white, as it may interfere with the calibration process • Proper lighting
Dynamic Calibration
This type of calibration is done with a handheld device connected directly to the vehicle’s computer through the vehicle’s OBD ll port. Once this is done, the vehicle will need to be driven at a designated constant speed over a prescribed distance in proper weather conditions.
Additionally, all lines on the road must be clearly visible. This allows the vehicle to be put into ‘learning mode’ and uses reliable benchmarks to use as driving aids, allowing ADAS systems to become familiar to certain road features.
Combination Calibration Note
Some vehicle manufacturers require both static and dynamic calibrations.
These calibration tools help to duplicate the manufacturer’s settings, ensuring your vehicle maintains the safety features it originally came with.
When should calibrations be performed? • When a windshield has been replaced • When the ADAS camera has been disconnected
• When the camera is removed partially or develops a fault
• After a wheel alignment or changes with the suspension
All of the above may affect how well your ADAS system works if it is not calibrated properly. What are some things that can negatively affect the calibration process, causing it to fail? • Not having a full tank of fuel. • Having cargo in the trunk or the back seat. • Not having a proper wheel alignment. • Not having the windshield installed properly. Items that may potentially affect the dynamic calibration process:
• Not having proper weather conditions • Not having proper signage and painted lines on the road.
• Not maintaining the speed required to perform the dynamic calibration. While most drivers are not aware of the need to recalibrate the ADAS systems to avoid potential safety risks.
Nevertheless, when an ADAS windshield is replaced, the cameras must be recalibrated. This is a critical process to ensure the driver and passengers’ safety.
When an ADAS windshield is replaced, the cameras must be recalibrated. This is a critical process to ensure the driver and passengers’ safety.
Most drivers are not aware of the need to re-calibrate the ADAS systems to avoid potential safety risks.
Every car manufacturer has its own specifications for ADAS calibration. These differences range from manufacturer to manufacturer, and in many instances, the same manufacturer will have differences from model to model.
Therefore, only trusted manufacturers, who have the proven experience, can produce the original specifications of auto glazing which enables the ADAS system to be recalibrated. Precise calibration ensures correct pitch, yaw and roll of camera angle. The Fuyao Group is proud to be one of them.
Howard Berg has been involved in the auto parts industry since 1992, specializing in auto glass since 2012. He is now serving as the regional sales manager—Canada at Fuyao North America Inc. He can be reached at hberg@fuyaogroup.com.
ADAS TECHNOLOGY FALLS INTO FOUR CATEGORIES:
1. Adaptive: Systems that change/ adapt based on input from the surrounding environment
2. Automated: Systems that take over and perform certain functions that the driver cannot do safely
3. Monitoring: Systems that use sensors, cameras, or other means to observe the surrounding area or driving of the vehicle and assesses whether a correction needs to be made
4. Warning: Systems that alert the driver to potential issues in their own driving or the driving of others that could increase the risk of injury to those in the vehicle • Adaptive cruise control (ACC) • Adaptive high beam • Glare-free high beam • Adaptive light control; swivelling curve lights • Automatic parking • Automotive navigation system providing up-to-date traffic information. • Automotive night vision • Blindspot monitor • Collision avoidance system • Crosswind stabilization • Driver drowsiness detection • Driver Monitoring System • Electric vehicle warning sounds used in hybrids and plug-in electric vehicles • Emergency driver assistant • Forward Collision Warning • Intersection assistant • Hill descent control • Intelligent speed adaptation or intelligent speed advice (ISA) • Lane departure warning system • Lane change assistance • Pedestrian protection system • Traffic sign recognition • Turning assistant • Vehicular communication systems • Wrong way driving warning
INNOVATION STATION Georgian College unveils automotive hub project with township
BY ALLISON ROGERS
At the end of February, Georgian College announced that, through its partnership with the township of Oro Station, it will be breaking ground on an innovation hub dedicated to automotive research, engineering and development.
Oro Station, Ontario’s new 200-acre automotive hub will be located adjacent to the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport in Oro-Medonte. The site will feature 65,032 sq. m. of industrial space, as well as a 4.2 km test track with dynamic driving areas.
The facility will blend an automotive business park with a motorsport road course and the Bexley Motor club. It will also be home to extensive automotive engineering, education, supply design and manufacturing businesses that should benefit from the track facility for testing, design, development, marketing, events and tourism.
“This project has been more than a decade in the making and having an educational partner like Georgian College has always been a key part of our vision,” said Geoffrey Campbell, managing partner of the Oro Station project. “Providing current curriculum that reflects the needs of the industry is critical to ensuring Ontario remains competitive in the automotive sector.”
In November 2019, several government officials announced a zoning order to clear the way for construction set to begin later in 2020. The hub is set to create 700 full-time jobs within Simcoe County, representing 50 percent of the forecasted employment growth in Oro-Medonte to 2031.
“Oro Station will be the ultimate Canadian destination for innovators and educations, racers and restorers, enthusiasts and entrepreneurs,” reads a Georgian College press release. “Oro Station creates connections between individuals and institutions, educators and innovators, enthusiasts and entrepreneurs—all part of a vibrant community with an eye to the future of the automobile in Canada.”
Georgian College is home to more than 130 market-driven programs and the Automotive Business School of Canada.
“The automotive industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace and this partnership is an incredible opportunity for Georgian, the ABSC and our students to be part of shaping its future,” said Kevin Weaver, vice president of academics at Georgian College. “We look
forward to exploring various community and industry collaborations, and working closely with Oro Station through future programming, training and research to meet the innovation needs of the industry and local employers.”
For more information on the project, visit orostation.ca.
