Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – The Complete Guide

What are Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)?

Advanced driver assistance systems is a technology that assists drivers. Its primary role is to prevent deaths and injuries by reducing the number of accidents and negating human error. It uses sensors and cameras to perceive the environment around the vehicle. Then it processes this data and either warn the driver or takes automatic action based on what it perceives. 

What ADAS applications include:

• Pedestrian Detection/avoidance
• Lane departure warning/correction
• Traffic sign recognition 
• Automatic emergency braking 
• Blind spot detection 

ADAS is incredibly effective at preventing accidents. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that it was 50% more likely to avoid front to rear crashes and 78% more likely to avoid backing crashes. 

Human error is unavoidable but ADAS is here to help!

How do Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Work? 

ADAS works by alerting drivers to potential dangers or taking automatic actions to avoid an accident. It gathers data from sensors and cameras to process its environment and quickly process the information into a warning or automatic response. 

ADAS is so useful as it’s able to aid humans and augment their current sensors. For instance, we can’t see in the dark very well, but RADAR can. We can’t see in all directions at once, but LIDAR sensors can. We can’t echolocate objects or people, but SONAR sensors can. 

This is why ADAS is amazing at reducing accidents, as it neutralizes human error and our inadequacies. The ADAS system consists of powerful processors and sensors to quickly integrate lots of data and make quick real-time decisions. Eventually, the technology will reach a point where we have fully autonomous car driving. 

Active vs Passive ADAS Systems

There are two types of ADAS systems:

Passive Advanced Driver Assistance Systems  – a passive ADAS system can have all the sensors of an active system but it merely just warns the driver of a potentially unsafe incident. Therefore, the driver must take action themselves to counteract the potential accident. This doesn’t completely remove the human error but does aid. These warnings come in the form of vibrations, warning sounds, flashing lights etc. 

Active Advanced Driver Assistance Systems  – an active ADAS system will contain all the necessary sensors but instead of just pre-warning the driver, it will autonomously make a decision to stop a potential accident from happening. Driving when there is no perceived warning the driver will still be able to engage in normal driving functions. 

What features do Passive ADAS Systems have?

A list of common features of Passive ADAS:

• ABS – Anti-Lock Braking System: This stops the car from skidding when an emergency brake is used 

• ESC – Electronic Stability Control: Assist in under or over steering, especially under difficult conditions.

• TCS – Traction Control System: Uses a mixture of ABS and ESC to maintain traction control when turning corners. 

• Back-up Camera : This provides the driver with a view behind the car when the car is being reversed. 

• LDW – Lane Departure Warning : This simply alerts the driver if the car is not within its lane

• FCW – Forward Collision Warning: This warns the driver when to brake in order to avoid an accident ahead

• Blind Spot Detection: Warns the driver if there is someone or something in their blind spot 

• Parking Assistance: This pre warns the driver when their front or back of the car is approaching an object, like a wall or lamp post. This would be used when parking your car. 

What features do Active ADAS Systems have? 

A list of common features of Active ADAS: 

• Automatic Emergency Braking : Automatic brakes will be used when the ADAS sensors pick up an object, pedestrian, animal or anything that the car may collide with.

• Emergency Steering : This will steer the car to avoid a collision with an object, pedestrian or animal the sensors may pick up.

• Adaptive Cruise Control : This is cruise control that adapts to the speed of cars in front

• Lane Assistance : Steers the car to make sure it stays within the lane

• Traffic Jam Assist : This combines lane assistance and adaptive cruise control to help the driver through traffic

• Self Parking : Maneuvers the car into a parking space

Benefits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems 

There are many benefits to having ADAS installed on your car, and not just for safety reasons. 

• Saves Fuel Consumption – ADAS improves the way people drive. It forces drivers to drive using efficient habits (eco friendly), and optimise EMS (Energy Management Strategy). The earlier and less harsh braking, controlled and constant speed etc. Research has found this has led to a 15% decrease in fuel consumption.

• Helps to drive down costs (fewer accidents = less money spent) – ADAS is very effective at stopping accidents from happening. Both minor and major accidents, and in the long term this will mean less money spent on repairing the car after accidents, or finding replacements. Plus some insurers offer cheaper insurance if a car is fitted with ADAS. 

Walker Cutting will soon be offering ADAS services, keep your eyes peeled or contact us for more information on this upcoming service.