Autor: venred

KEYPORT, N.J., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Insurers should be concerned about the growth of aftermarket companies that conduct calibrations of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in poorly controlled environments, writes Jason Bigelow, founder of Advanced ADAS Calibration Centers, in the December issue of Body Shop Business magazine.

Specifically, the veteran automotive technician cites the growth of so-called «mobile» ADAS companies that rely on portable, aftermarket equipment. «At our shop, we are being asked more and more frequently to redo ADAS calibrations that were conducted improperly by aftermarket, ‘mobile’ operators,» Bigelow writes in the opinion piece. Bigelow’s business serves the ADAS needs of insurers, body shops, auto dealers and consumers from its facilities in Keyport and Old Bridge

To be sure, some manufacturers include roadway testing as part of their recommended calibration protocols. However, that’s a far cry from operators using aftermarket equipment to run static tests in poorly controlled locations, he argues. «What we’re seeing in New Jersey looks something like this: The operator finds a random parking lot, pulls a targeting system out of the back of his or her vehicle and conducts the calibration,» Bigelow writes.

Advanced’s Keyport location sets aside about 900 square feet just to store OEM targets. By contrast, «in the aftermarket space, operators use and reuse supposedly ‘universal’ targets for multiple manufacturers,» Bigelow notes, «… ADAS requires far more precision than that.»

The right approach is to protect calibration areas from exterior light sources such as sunlight streaming in through windows. On one wall at Bigelow’s shop, for instance, eight different light switches are used just to control shadows. «You’ll even see two light fixtures installed right next to each other—one LED, the other fluorescent—so that we can use the right light source, per the manufacturer’s specifications,» Bigelow notes.

The shop also has perfectly level floors, with nonreflective paint on many surfaces, and technicians are trained to maintain cleanroom-like conditions to avoid interference that could cause miscalibrations.

As Bigelow sees it, a key point for insurers is to understand the consequences of poorly conducted calibrations. «To use a simplified example, let’s say the system sees 50 feet down the roadway,» he writes. «When you multiply even a tiny miscalibration by that total distance, you end up with a significant chance of that system failing to perform as intended.»

Quite literally, the car could fail to brake in time as a direct result of that faulty calibration. «Doing it right the first time needs to be the top priority, because the only way to calibrate a misaligned system is to do a teardown,» Bigelow adds. «You take the bumper off of that car or disassemble that camera to inspect the mounting surface—and do the calibration all over again.»

The best way to control severity, in other words, is to control the testing and calibration environment, he contends. Otherwise, what should have been a $300 calibration can turn into a $600 total cost—the $300 miscalibration, plus another $300 recalibration needed to true-up the system.

In the conclusion to the piece, Bigelow concedes that running «mobile ADAS» crews on New Jersey roads could be profitable, even for his business. «But I have chosen to stick with OEM targeting in a tightly controlled environment staffed by committed, highly trained technicians,» he writes. «Having conducted more than 1,500 calibrations at this point, I am convinced that this is the only way for the industry to keep moving forward amid the tech-driven transformation of modern vehicles.»

The full article is available at:
https://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/mobile-adas-calibration-understanding-the-downside/

Press contacts:  At Jaffe Communications, Bill Parness, 288509@email4pr.com,  908-789-0700

At Advanced ADAS Calibration Centers, Jason and Janet Bigelow, 288509@email4pr.com, 146 Hwy. 35 North, Keyport, NJ 07735, (732) 290-7300.

Note to media: Jason and Janet Bigelow are available as resources for your coverage of ADAS technology.

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SOURCE Advanced ADAS Calibration Centers

LISLE, Ill., Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Molex, a leading global connectivity and electronics solutions provider, unveiled results of a global survey of automotive decision makers depicting top trends and technologies impacting «car of the future» strategies and business decisions. Survey findings validate the critical role of data, software and networking in enabling electrification and connectivity—identified as the two most important areas of innovation.

«It’s an exciting time in the automotive industry, and this survey underscores the accelerated pace of investment and innovation,» said Mike Bloomgren, SVP, president, Transportation & Industrial Solutions, Molex. «The results also reinforce our mission to design and deliver critical electronics solutions that form the central nervous system of tomorrow’s connected cars.»

Molex commissioned Dimensional Research to conduct The Future of Automotive survey in November 2020, polling 230 qualified participants in engineering, product, procurement, R&D, supply chain, innovation or strategy roles at automotive companies with at least 1,000 employees. Survey respondents were asked questions designed to help them visualize what an average new car purchased in 2030 might be like, including top features, initiatives and innovations.

Key findings include:

• 91% of respondents say cars will be either fully electric (64%) or hybrid (27%)
• 97% expect «range anxiety» to be solved by 2030
• 94% expect cars to include autonomous driving; only 28% envision fully self-driving cars
• 56% believe 2030 cars will be at least 50% more expensive than today’s cars

When asked to identify top areas in the overall ecosystem with the most potential to reduce the price of a 2030 car, battery cost savings (40%), software integration (34%) and manufacturing processes (32%) led the way. In addition, 96% agreed the car of the future will require manufacturing factory innovations.

Top Features, Technologies and Innovations

According to the survey respondents, the top three features most likely to be standard by 2030 are high-speed WiFi, wireless charging and car-to-car communication. In selecting the five most important innovation areas in the next decade, respondents picked electrification (38%), connectivity (33%), passenger safety (29%), quality and reliability (28%), and software-defined infrastructure (27%).

Moreover, 60% of those polled favor the ability to deliver innovation via software as a priority, encompassing the intelligence needed for autonomous driving, advanced algorithms to reduce energy consumption, remote updates of new capabilities and customized driving experiences.

Across the board, participants reported customer demand and technology innovations will impact future car developments, especially in speeding green or socially responsible initiatives, ranging from zero-emission vehicles to zero-waste production.

Tech Companies and China Gain Momentum

While 44% of survey respondents envision established automakers driving development of an average car purchased in 2030, 32% cited increasing traction by technology companies. Companies such as Apple, Google and Microsoft are expected to gain momentum because of their expertise in user experience and Human Machine Interfaces. Equally important is industry sentiment that China is most likely to produce the car of the future first, followed by the U.S., Japan and Germany.

Overcoming Obstacles is Prioritized

Overwhelmingly, participants report major technology challenges to delivering innovation, with 44% citing insufficient battery life and 36% reporting obstacles getting electronics and software to operate in extreme scenarios. Additionally, 33% reported challenges in attaining hard-to-find expertise in electrification, 5G, security and other needed technologies.

Molex Automotive: Experience Counts

For nearly 30 years, Molex has played a vital role in the automotive industry, especially in addressing demand for flawless interconnectivity of mobile devices and data services. In that time, the company has supplied more than 95% of engine control and powertrain connectivity solutions for a major automotive OEM. Molex brings its heritage in networking and longstanding reputation for product quality and customer collaboration to meet growing consumer needs across the automotive ecosystem, spanning electrification, Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), automotive high-speed networking, vehicle antenna systems, connected mobility solutions and vehicle-to-everything communications (V2X).

About Molex

Molex makes a connected world possible by enabling technologies that transform the future and improve lives. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex offers a complete range of connectivity products, services and solutions for the data communications, medical, industrial, automotive and consumer electronics industries. For more information visit www.molex.com.

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SOURCE Molex Incorporated