Ascential Technologies says cutting corners on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) calibration after even minor repairs can mean the difference between preventing or causing a crash, according to a new whitepaper released July 17.
The 22-page study, co sponsored by Dealer Tire’s Sentric ADAS brand and sister company Burke Porter, argues that “calibration must be treated as a non negotiable step of the repair process.”
Drawing on National Safety Council modeling, the paper notes that existing ADAS could prevent roughly 62 % of U.S. road deaths if systems are maintained to specification. Independent research backs that up: the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that forward collision warning paired with automatic emergency braking cuts rear end crashes by 50%.
What the Data Show
Ascential engineers evaluated multiple static and dynamic calibration methods, finding “significant performance variance” when targets were mis positioned by as little as one degree. In real world terms, a sensor skewed by that margin could miss an object “by several feet,” the study warns.
Crash avoidance benefits translate directly into bottom line risk for insurers and repairers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2024 final rule requires AEB — including pedestrian detection up to 62 mph — on all new light vehicles by September 2029, projecting 360 lives saved and 24,000 injuries averted each year.
Rising Cost — and Revenue — for Shops
For body shop operators, the tougher question is shop management: who pays for the extra labor and equipment? A December 2023 AAA study found ADAS components and calibration account for an average 37.6 % of repair bills across four common scenarios, adding roughly $1,540 to a minor front end claim.
Yet the same complexity can create a profit center. Bringing calibrations in house can trim cycle time by up to two days, industry consultant Mike Anderson said in a presentation.
Liability and Regulatory Pressure Mounting
Legal exposure is also climbing. The whitepaper details instances where incomplete calibration led to sensor failures that contributed to recalls or litigation. Because liability can extend to sublet vendors, Ascential urges repairers to document every calibration step and retain digital reports for at least the statute of repose period in their state.
Regulatory momentum is moving in the same direction. NHTSA’s forthcoming New Car Assessment Program update will score vehicles on blind spot warning and lane keeping performance, effectively raising the bar for post crash repair accuracy.
Operational Takeaways for Collision Shops
• Know the OEM spec. Calibration targets, floor level tolerances and lighting requirements differ by model year. Access to factory repair data is imperative.
• Invest strategically. Static rigs can cost $25,000 $75,000, while dynamic only tablet tools run lower; many shops adopt a hybrid approach to capture the widest mix of vehicles, Ascential noted in the whitepaper.
• Train and retrain. IIHS studies show systems evolve rapidly; technicians must stay current on camera alignments, radar field of view checks and software updates.
• Document everything. From pre and post scans to calibration screenshots, complete files help defend against insurer push back and potential court claims.
Ascential’s whitepaper concludes with a blunt assessment: “ADAS calibration is no longer optional, nor merely recommended. It is required for road safety, regulatory compliance and the economic health of the repair sector.”
