What is ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems)?

Many vehicles on today's roads have safety features that fall under the general term ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). From your anti-lock brakes to your backup camera, all of these fall under that title. In this blog, we’re going to take a little dive into the technology that makes us all better drivers.

What is ADAS?

ADAS is a combination of cameras, sensors, radar, and lidar (light detection and ranging) that alert the driver when there’s danger. This could be anything from a deer jumping in front of your car to the driver accidentally swerving into the next lane. These sets of electronic systems are designed to take the threat of human error off the streets, as nearly 94% of all collisions are due to human missteps.

What Are Key ADAS Features?

Below are some of the main ADAS features drivers might recognize in their vehicles.

Passive ADAS Systems

The following systems are considered passive because they alert the driver, who in turn needs to act to avoid danger.

• ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System): ABS will activate when you use your emergency brake, which is helpful when your vehicle is skidding.

• ESC (Electronic Stability Control): ESC will stabilize your vehicle when you over- or understeer, which can happen during hazardous weather conditions.

• TCS (Traction Control System): TCS uses ABS and ESC to maintain traction on the road, which is helpful when you’re driving through tight turns.

• LDW (Lane Departure Warning): LDW alerts drivers if they swerve into the next lane, which can happen when a driver is drowsy.

• FCW (Forward Collision Warning): FCW alerts the driver if something appears on the road ahead.

• Blind Spot Detection: All humans have a blind spot—a space we can’t see even when turning our heads. This system alerts drivers to anything in that area.

• Backup Camera: This feature is probably the most well-known. It helps drivers see what’s behind their vehicle when backing up.

• Parking Assistance: Difficult parking spaces are never an issue with this ADAS feature.

Active ADAS Systems

The following systems are considered active because they will act when the driver is unable to.

• Emergency Steering: If this system detects something in the road ahead, it will turn the car if the driver doesn’t take action to avoid it.

• Automatic Emergency Braking: This system will apply the brakes if the driver fails to do so once something is detected in front of the vehicle.

• Lane Keeping Assist & Lane Centering: This safety feature will reroute your vehicle back to its correct lane if it detects that you’re swerving and not taking action to correct it.

• Adaptive Cruise Control: For those who take long drives often, this system allows you to take your feet off the pedals like regular cruise control—but it also speeds up and slows down the vehicle with the flow of traffic.

• Traffic Jam Assist: This system takes more of the work off the driver’s hands by aiding in stop-and-go traffic.

• Self-Parking: With this system, parallel parking is no longer an issue. All you have to do is activate the system and let the vehicle do the work.

ADAS and Your Windshield

Many of the technologies that support these systems are built into the windshield. So, if your vehicle is equipped with ADAS and you need a windshield replacement, you will also need an ADAS calibration. Otherwise, your systems could malfunction or fail.

Do You Need a Windshield Replacement in the Chicagoland Area?

If you live or work in Hinsdale, Palos Hills, Lemont, or Oak Lawn, IL, and your windshield is damaged, contact us at Flash Auto Glass. We offer insurance assistance to speed up your claim and also provide a warranty on all windshield replacement services. Our technicians are also certified to recalibrate your ADAS technology to ensure your safety features function properly with your new windshield. Get an instant quote here.