A DAS Te chnology
DEALING WITH ADVANCED DRIVER ASSIST SYSTEMS ADAS technology presents new shop challenges
T By Edwin Hazzard
The automotive industry is always evolving. It seems that new technology is always arriving in our service bays. I remember back when SRS (supplemental restraint systems) first appeared with many service techs feeling a little overwhelmed. New technologies always seem to present new challenges. An automobile manufacturer’s biggest and foremost concern is the topic of safety. When the OEMs design an automobile they implement the strictest of guidelines that will help keep the driver and their occupants safe. Fast forward to present day and we now have systems in place to assist drivers while on the road. The new system or technology is called ADAS. This stands for advanced driver assist system. This system is responsible for aiding the driver while driving on the road. This system does not make driving decisions for the driver. This system will alert the driver of impending driving conditions especially when traffic is nearby. I believe in the nottoo-distant future you will be seeing a full self-driving vehicle where the ADAS system will be making all the decisions for the driver or pretty much most of the decisions. Current ADAS systems not only help in
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the decision-making process for the drivers but as a service technician and a shop owner decisions are needed to be made as well. Should a shop take on this new technology? Does the shop want to stay competitive? Does the shop want to stay ahead of the curve? These questions and many more need to be considered with this new technology. With the ADAS systems now in vehicles it presents new challenges in training, tooling and equipment along with a legal and a liability challenge. These new systems must be properly serviced with the utmost precision and accuracy. The reason for this is that when a part has to be repaired or replaced on that subsystem, that part or system has to be accurately calibrated. In order to do this the shop has to have the correct service information, service tools, and training. There is absolutely no room for error. An improper repair on an ADAS system could alter the way the driver responds to a driving incident. Finding out that the system has not been repaired correctly and has contributed to an automobile accident is where the legal and liability issue comes into play.
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7/30/20 7:46 AM
