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alignment, Screeton said. Having the correct
tools and service information for the
ADAS the technician is repairing is crucial.
" We recommend that all technicians
troubleshooting Bendix electronic systems,
including ADAS, use Bendix ACom PRO
or Noregon's JPRO software, " he said.
" Those PC-based, subscription-based
diagnostic tools are comprehensive to
cover all Bendix electronic systems and
offer a complete suite of diagnostics, troubleshooting,
advanced troubleshooting, and
reporting capabilities for both tractor and
trailer systems. "
A second element that can present
an issue is the space and environment
required for calibrations. The area needs
to be level, free of obstructions, and have
ample lighting.
" Technicians have to know how to prepare
the shop environment before starting
the calibration. The OEM may provide
the information in the service manual, but
then the technician has to go through that
service manual, and it adds to the time, "
Krebs said. " There is a lot out there and a
lot of confusion on what it takes to have a
clean environment. "
ADAS calibration tools consist of the
targets, framework to position the targets,
and diagnostic tablets to access the CAN,
Alexander explained. " High-quality targets
are key to providing an accurate reference
point for digitally calibrating the vehicle
sensors, " he said. " The targets must be at
the exact height, angle, and distance relative
to the vehicle, and a solid framework
with alignment accessories is critical to
hold the targets in the precise position.
Professional-level diagnostic tablets are
essential to accessing the vehicle onboard
network to initiate and confirm the calibration
process. "
ADAS technology changes frequently,
so regular software updates for calibration
tools are critical. " For our technicians,
whether they're in one of our
brick-and-mortars or are mobile, there
are constant updates being sent to tools.
If you don't update it, you're looking at
the front end of a car looking for a sensor
that should be at point A, but at the
mid-year model change, they moved it, "
McGuire said, adding that he does a lot
of work with Autel. " They do a nice job of
providing you with auto-updates as long
as you use them. You waste a lot of time
without updates. "
EDUCATING BUYERS
Technicians are undergoing a learning
curve related to ADAS, but buyers also
have to gain a new understanding of the
technology. For vehicle owners, there are
things they can no longer do. " For instance,
a lot of truck owners would buy a truck
and replace the plastic bumper with a
chrome bumper. With ADAS, you have
to have one that works with it. There are
things like that you have to think about
now, " Freeman said.
McGuire explained that ADAS technology
is a living, breathing component
of the vehicle. " You have to be aware that
once you modify as built, you could have
changed how it works, " he said.
Every time a windshield gets replaced,
it has to be recalibrated, and even an aftermarket
windshield rather than an OE
windshield could create challenges. " Some
aftermarket windshields have more wave
to them, or the tint level could be off in
some cases, " Krebs said.
Autel's Freeman explained that even
a small bump, such as hitting a curb
or a small animal, can cause problems
if the system isn't recalibrated. " The
slightest bend can take a sensor from
reading straight to reading at an angle. "
he said.
MONITORING MANDATES
In the U.S., there is not a mandate for
ADAS like there is in Europe. " In Europe,
everyone has to have it, and it is a done
deal, " Freeman said.
Bendix's Andersky said mandates
may be coming to the U.S. " In the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs
Act, the recently passed 'infrastructure
bill,' there is a requirement that NHTSA
promulgate a rulemaking for autonomous
emergency braking on Class 7 and
8 tractors and motorcoaches within two
years, " he said. " There is also a study
requested for eventually mandating on
Classes 3-6 trucks. "
Additionally, the U.S. government's
new car assessment program is getting a
major update, which is moving the country
closer to an ADAS mandate, Obispo said.
There has also been work to standardize
terminology. While there are numerous
marketing and brand names for ADAS,
SAE and AAA have recommended a classification
for naming 20 different types of
ADAS, McKinney said.
Creating standardization is not an easy
task because of the dynamic and changing
nature of ADAS development, Obispo
said. " Traditionally, there have been a lot
of acronyms and naming given to these
systems, " he said. " Manufacturers used to
put their own names to similar technologies,
which of course did not help much to
the comprehension of the systems. "
GOING FORWARD
Because there are so many variables and
the technology is continuing to emerge at
a lightning pace, it's going to become more
challenging in the near- to mid-term for
technicians to perform the tasks they're
required to perform, McGuire said. " As
technologies and systems are advancing
and more are being added, the lack of
standardization really drives an incredible
wedge between time and efficiency, "
he emphasized.
In the future, equipment and technology
providers can expect more systems to
address the safety features. " Bosch is planning
for these changes with upgradeable
technologies to integrate in the shop now
and grow with the technicians' skill and
expertise as the industry moves toward
digitalization, " McKinney said.
VehicleServicePros.com DECEMBER 2022 15
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