It will take some years before we see fully self-driving vehicles on the road, but certainly the level of technology in today's cars, thanks to a multitude of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), ensure a higher level of safety for both occupants and vulnerable road users. According to studies carried out by the Italian Automobile Club (ACI) and the Politecnico di Torino, Adas can prevent 60% of accidents and almost one in two rear-end collisions. In fact, the European Union has set itself the goal of reducing the number of accidents and fatalities by 50% by 2030 and bringing that number down to zero by 2050. A goal that the European institutions hope to achieve through legislation that sets out precise rules and obligations for manufacturers regarding the presence of driver assistance systems on their vehicles. The legislation in question is EU Regulation 2019/2144. The regulation states that from 7 July 2024, all models on sale - not only those that are newly type-approved, but also those that have already been type-approved - must be equipped with the newest safety equipment. These are the Isa (Intelligent Speed Assistant, a device that detects the speed of the vehicle and compares it with the speed allowed on the road you are driving on), the black box, the installation of Alcolock-type devices, warning signal in the event of driver distraction and fatigue/advanced driver distraction warning, the emergency stop warning, reverse sensing, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and tyre pressure gauge. Of course, these technologies require specific maintenance to be carried out by body shops, tyre fitters and mechatronic specialists following the specifications of the manufacturers. Sensors, cameras and radar calibration requires a high degree of technical knowledge and the right equipment on the part of the repairer, as failure to calibrate or incorrect calibration may result in an incorrect obstacle reading and, most likely, an accident. The work should be carried out by a garage in situations such as accident repairs, wheel alignment, windscreen replacement, servicing, minor repairs and sensor replacement. Calibration of Adas systems can be done in dynamic mode, i.e. while the car is on the road under certain conditions that are difficult to achieve and therefore make the calibration procedure very complex, or in static mode, i.e. in the workshop using calibration panels and specialised equipment.
What the market has to offer
Fasep 
The VCO-K.Eco is the wheel aligner manufactured by Fasep that can interact with Adas systems on vehicles. The wheel aligner, whose task is to measure the geometric angles of the wheels, allows you to check that the front and rear axles of a vehicle are aligned. This is a very important maintenance operation as correct alignment prevents incorrect tyre wear. The VCO-K.Eco is designed to facilitate operation in the workshop. Practical and fast it can be safely moved and used at any workstation, whether on a pit or scissor lift, and even on a 2-column lifts with the appropriate software options. The PC-based VCO-K.Eco has a 19" LCD monitor and is equipped with a WinXP / Win7 operating system. The Fasep measuring system works with 4 WinTRAX2 sensors on modern vehicle suspensions via a wireless connection between the sensors and the PC. The alignment programme database can be updated online.
Hella Gutmann Solutions
CSC-Tool X 20 is the latest addition to Hella's range of tools for Adas calibration. It is a fully digital, multi-brand tool continuously updated thanks to its cloud integration. Unlike previous tools, the CSC-Tool X 20 handles the entire calibration process itself, documenting every step in a comprehensive report. The diagnostic tool is only needed in the final calibration phase. The CSC-Tool X 20 is controlled by an app that connects to the cloud via Wi-Fi to access the latest vehicle data. Connection to other Hella Gutmann's diagnostic tools, such as mega macs X and mega macs S 20, allows data to be exchanged, reducing the need for repeated data entry and minimising potential errors. Workshops already using the analogue CSC can continue to use their existing physical targets. The instrument's modular design also allows for future upgrades, such as radar calibration and 360° environmental monitoring, as well as the use of apps at different levels.
Mahle
Digital Adas 2.0 is the innovative Mahle aftermarket system that harnesses the power and flexibility of remote assistance. Thanks to the synergy between the Digital Adas system and the Mahle RemotePRO function (via the new Brain Bee Connex 2 / Mahle Techpro 2 diagnostics or the RemotePRO device), it is now possible to perform static front camera calibration on an even larger fleet of vehicles. A team of specialised professionals and a wide range of original tools are available to Mahle and Brain Bee users. At the heart of Mahle's technological solution is the self-adaptive "Keystone" function (patented), a unique process that automatically transforms the parameters measured by special laser gauges, allowing the software to assess the physical environment and adjust the digital lens image accordingly. Even the monitor's vertical movement is automatically managed by the diagnostic tool, with a simple command allowing it to reach exactly the position specified by the manufacturer. The RemotePRO Keystone Powered function is just the latest example of the many innovative features of the Mahle Digital Adas range, such as Mahle's targetless technology, which, thanks to the versatility of its digital panel, allows the screen to be adapted to the vehicle manufacturer's current or future reference protocol; the possibility of accessing 3D tutorials for each step of the calibration procedure via the Digital Adas 2.0 monitor; and the presence of an automatic number plate recognition camera.
Nexion
Proadas Digital is the system for calibrating and testing front-end driver assistance systems such as cameras, radar and lidar installed in commercial vehicles and cars. Equipped with technology developed entirely by the Nexion Group and sold under the Corghi, Mondolfo, Hpa-Faip, Sice and Teco brands, Proadas Digital is also compatible with the Group's aligners equipped with cameras or CCD sensors. The system integrates a 75” screen for the digital reproduction of the calibration plates, simplifying and speeding up the process. Thanks to the digital display, Proadas Digital ensures fast access to new panels. Digitalisation allows multiple panels to be used in a single unit, making workspace more functional.
Thanks to a large screen, the system reproduces front camera calibration targets at a 1:1 scale, ensuring compliance with manufacturers' standards. Images are automatically displayed according to the selected vehicle model, reducing preparation time. Built-in sensors and preset values allow real-time knowledge of the system's position, ensuring fast alignment thanks to a Nexion patent. The software also guides the operator through the calibration process. The software licence allows updates and new targets to be downloaded, ensuring up-to-date coverage for the latest vehicles.
Snap On Equipment
Tru-Point is the Adas calibration tool marketed by Snap On under the John Bean brand. Tru-Point performs an Adas-related wheel alignment check and carefully monitors every step of the set-up process, ensuring that OEM safety specifications are met before calibrating the driver assistance system. Advanced camera technology ensures that everything is positioned correctly, allowing the system to automatically compensate the vehicle position. A comprehensive, easy-to-read report proves that the specialist has performed all the necessary steps for an accurate calibration. The calibration tool has recently been approved for use on Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles.
Texa
Texa’s solution for radar, lidar, camera and sensor calibration is the RCCS 3 EVO, a solution that guarantees a wide range of applications, equipped with a 75-inch HD screen, 4K definition, which always offers a perfect display of the panels, with a 1:1 ratio following the specifications of each manufacturer. Thanks to an integrated Mini PC, the RCCS 3 EVO is perfectly synchronised with the IDC6 diagnostic software, and the panels are selected and adjusted on the monitor. Ongoing software updates make new vehicles and panels available, as well as indispensable help sheets compiled by make and model. To get the most out of RCCS 3 EVO, a dedicated software, Toe and Thrust Angle Check, has been developed, which is essential for carrying out wheel alignment and toe-in. These operations are possible thanks to the use of four electronic CCD detectors installed on the wheels, on the rim clamping system and on the sides of the horizontal levelling bar.
Vamag
Wheel alignment is not only a routine operation to ensure tyre stability and durability, but it also plays a central role in ensuring that ADAS sensors, such as radar and cameras, operate with maximum precision. A vehicle with misaligned wheels will deviate from its intended line, and this can cause driver assistance sensors to misinterpret the environment, leading to potential detection errors. The reliability of Adas systems therefore depends on a correct geometric basis. With this in mind, Vamag has designed its wheel aligners to enable both alignment and, thanks to technologically advanced tools, calibration of the Adas.
One of the most important aspects of this equipment is the wheel clamps. These clamps make it possible to attach the instrument to the wheels without the need for run-out, a calibration operation in which the wheels are rotated to compensate for any errors or irregularities in the sensor attachment. According to the company, this system reduces both the time needed to prepare the vehicle and the risk of errors due to inaccurate compensation.
