As we have all witnessed, ADAS is transforming the automotive industry, with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and collision avoidance becoming standard across many vehicle models.
These systems enhance vehicle safety and functionality, but their complexity presents new challenges for collision repair technicians. Many techs struggle with identifying hidden ADAS components, understanding intricate recalibration requirements and keeping up with frequent updates from OEMs.
The Growing Complexity of ADAS Technology
ADAS features are evolving rapidly, driven by automakers’ commitments to safety mandates and consumer demand. Systems such as blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and forward-collision warnings require precise calibration. Even minor collisions can disrupt these systems, requiring recalibration to restore them to OEM standards.
Technicians face several challenges in dealing with ADAS-equipped vehicles:
Hidden Systems: Identifying embedded ADAS components can be difficult, especially when they are not visibly apparent.
OEM Requirements: Each manufacturer’s recalibration process varies, requiring technicians to access specific tools, targets, and controlled environments.
Frequent Updates: ADAS technology evolves rapidly, leaving technicians with outdated knowledge if training resources are insufficient.
The Knowledge Gap in Collision Repair
The disparity between ADAS advancements and the training available to repair professionals has created a significant knowledge gap. Many technicians lack the resources to understand and properly service ADAS-equipped vehicles, which can lead to safety-critical failures.
Common challenges include:
• Limited access to up-to-date training programs.
• Inadequate tools for ADAS detection and recalibration.
• Uncertainty about OEM-specific procedures.
This gap demands practical solutions to empower technicians and ensure repair accuracy.
Collaboration in the Industry
To address these challenges, companies in the automotive and diagnostics sectors are forming strategic collaborations. These partnerships aim to provide repair facilities with innovative tools and resources, enabling technicians to navigate the complexities of ADAS technology effectively. Below are three key collaborations making significant strides in this area.
Repairify and CCC ONE: Enhancing ADAS Insights
Repairify’s adasThink platform has integrated with CCC ONE, the estimating and repair management software from CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. This partnership simplifies ADAS detection and recalibration processes by embedding adasThink’s insights directly into CCC’s platform.
Craig Edmonds.
“Our integration with CCC ONE streamlines the repair process by delivering adasThink recommendations directly into CCC,” said Craig Edmonds, president of asTech. “This allows repairers to add ADAS-related tasks to their estimates seamlessly, improving workflow efficiency and reducing the risk of missing necessary calibrations.”
Key features of this integration include:
Real-Time Insights: Technicians can identify hidden ADAS systems and access OEM-specific recalibration procedures within the CCC platform.
Automatic Reporting: adasThink automatically attaches ADAS-related reports to CCC estimates, enhancing transparency for insurers and repair shops.
Efficiency Gains: The seamless integration reduces manual data entry and audit flags, saving time and ensuring compliance with OEM standards.
“This enhancement supports consistent, quality repairs and helps shops return vehicles to pre-accident condition, which is paramount as vehicle technology continues to evolve,” said Mark Fincher, vice president of Product Management at CCC.
Opus IVS and Elitek Vehicle Services: Advancing ADAS Mapping
Opus IVS has partnered with Elitek Vehicle Services, an LKQ company, to offer the ADAS MAP solution. This tool empowers repair shops to identify ADAS systems quickly and accurately, streamlining diagnostics and recalibration processes.
Frank Terlep.
“ADAS MAP automatically scrubs each line in an estimate against OEM-based service information to determine the necessary calibrations,” said Frank Terlep, vice president of ADAS Solutions for Opus IVS. “This improves shop efficiency and ensures repairs meet the highest safety standards.”
Chad Cowan, vice president of Services at LKQ, emphasized the partnership’s impact: “Integrating ADAS MAP underscores our commitment to vehicle safety and innovation. Elitek customers can be confident that vehicles leaving their shops are in the safest possible condition.”
The collaboration delivers:
Improved Accuracy: Automated identification of ADAS components and required calibrations.
Efficiency Gains: Reduced research time and administrative costs for repair facilities.
Enhanced Training: Improved technician knowledge of ADAS systems and recalibration requirements.
AirPro Diagnostics and Revv: Streamlining Calibration Processes
AirPro Diagnostics has partnered with Revv to integrate advanced ADAS automation into its remote diagnostics solutions. This collaboration simplifies the research required to identify ADAS systems and their recalibration needs, offering repair shops a comprehensive end-to-end solution.
“This partnership combines AirPro’s diagnostic expertise with Revv’s automation to empower shops to make informed decisions and deliver top-tier vehicle safety,” said Josh McFarlin, president of AirPro Diagnostics.
Key benefits include:
Cost Savings: Streamlined processes reduce expenses associated with ADAS research and recalibration.
Enhanced Efficiency: Technicians can access comprehensive calibration and diagnostic services in one platform.
Improved Safety: Accurate identification and recalibration of ADAS systems ensure vehicles are repaired to the highest safety standards.
“Our collaboration makes it easier for shops to confidently handle complex ADAS calibrations, focusing on safety, accuracy and efficiency,” said Adi Bathla, CEO of Revv.
Closing the ADAS Knowledge Gap
Tools like adasThink, integrated with platforms such as CCC ONE, are instrumental in closing the ADAS knowledge gap. These solutions empower technicians with real-time insights, OEM-specific procedures and streamlined workflows, ensuring accurate and efficient repairs.
As ADAS technology continues to evolve, industry collaborations will play a pivotal role in equipping repair professionals to meet these demands. By investing in training, tools and innovative partnerships, the collision repair industry can ensure the safe and effective operation of ADAS-equipped vehicles.
The Role of Training in Advancing ADAS Repairs
While industry collaborations provide the necessary tools and streamlined processes, ongoing technician training is vital to bridge the remaining knowledge gaps. Training programs designed around ADAS technology must be frequent, comprehensive and OEM-specific to keep pace with evolving systems. Institutions and manufacturers must collaborate to create quality training platforms, combining virtual and hands-on components.
For instance, live demonstrations of recalibration techniques or virtual simulations can make training more interactive and impactful. Repair facilities should prioritize investing in certified training programs for their technicians to ensure they remain competitive and competent in handling ADAS repairs.
The use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in training programs has shown promise in elevating understanding of complex ADAS systems. By leveraging these advanced teaching tools, technicians can gain practical insights into detecting and calibrating systems without the risk of damaging actual vehicles.
Building a Safety-First Culture
Ultimately, addressing the challenges associated with ADAS repairs requires a shift in industry mindset to prioritize safety. Repair facilities must adopt a safety-first culture that emphasizes thorough diagnostics, precise recalibrations and adherence to OEM guidelines. This cultural shift ensures the reliability of repaired vehicles and fosters trust among customers who rely on these safety systems.
With the rapid advancements in ADAS technology, the automotive repair industry stands at a crossroads. By fostering collaborations, enhancing training, and promoting a safety-focused approach, the industry can rise to meet the challenges. This proactive approach will secure not just the vehicles of today but also the safety and confidence of drivers in the future.
Leona Scott