PMM hears from one of Bosch’s automotive insiders. This month, ADAS expert Marc Eppler lifts the bonnet on Bosch’s ADAS One Solution calibration software.
In a world where everyone’s an influencer, it’s refreshing to know that Bosch is the real deal. The German firm’s in-depth automotive knowledge has been built over 100 years and it’s fair to say that many of the innovations that took shape within their factory walls have gone on to change the automotive landscape. Today, millions of drivers around the world today rely on their technology. So who better than Bosch to turn to for a deep dive into the systems that keep modern vehicles on the road.
This month, we have Marc Eppler, product manager for ADAS tools, to bring us up to speed with Bosch’s ADAS One product. Marc’s background in developing high performance combustion engines gives him a unique insight into how ADAS sits within the wider vehicle.
Firstly, could you explain what ADAS One is?
The ADAS One Solution is a software system for the efficient recalibration of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and was born out of the changing automotive landscape.
As manufacturers developed cars with driver assistance functions – such as camera and radar systems – that supported the driver and helped prevent accidents, it became vital to ensure these systems worked safely and accurately at all times.
Is that why ADAS One was developed?
Yes, because these new driver assistance functions needed to be working correctly after repairs or an accident. Previously mechanics needed aftermarket repair manuals, specific to each individual manufacturer, as more variations entered the market, this process could become inefficient due to the extremely specific guidelines needed for each make and model. Mechanics also had to deal with a huge variety of different functions that required calibration – from road sign recognition, to automated braking, accelerating and lane assist.
Bosch introduced ADAS recalibration solutions, including the DAS 1000 series, to help manufacturers calibrate their own systems, before rolling the technology out to the automotive aftermarket.
Today, the ADAS One Solution software helps workshop mechanics across the world set up their calibration device efficiently, while ensuring precise settings for a vehicle’s various ADAS systems and respecting the manufacturer’s strict specifications.
How does ADAS One help improve workshop efficiency?
The unique, optimised user guidance in the ADAS One Solution speeds up the recalibration process for almost any vehicle that arrives in the workshop, taking users through the recalibration process step by step.
The software is versatile too and can run either by full integration into Bosch’s ESI[tronic] workshop diagnostic software, or independently on a PC or laptop. Mechanics get easy-to-follow instructions preconfigured for every vehicle – providing guidance all the way from the selection of the required calibration accessories, to the camera assisted vehicle-specific alignment.
The new positioning software is incredibly user-friendly, with animated graphics that give the mechanic step-by-step visual instructions during setup. Once all default settings have been checked, they can carry out the diagnostic process and then perform the calibration routine.
There are also individual starter kits for Bosch’s DAS 3000 calibration device, which cover various manufacturers’ systems.
Calibration boards for camera systems, front radar and lidar systems, as well as calibration floor mats for rear and surround cameras and radar accessories for all kinds of radar systems are all available separately – so you can use these as building blocks to create a solution that suits your workshop.
Once technicians have completed the process, they have everything documented in a total proof of calibration report that adheres to manufacturer guidelines.
When to use ADAS?
- Accident repair
- Wheel alignment
- Servicing
- Tuning
- Minor repairs
- Troubleshooting
- Windscreen replacement
- Sensor replacements
How does ADAS One simplify the complexities of modern day vehicles?
There’s an increasing diversity of vehicle sensor technology and calibration process. With so many scenarios that necessitate recalibration, from a new windscreen to a small bump in a car park, workshops require a simple solution that enables them to move quickly and efficiently. With ADAS solutions, they are perfectly equipped for the precise recalibration and adjustment of driver assistance systems and the fact that it is one solution makes it unique in the market.
The solution is also modular, so while it is designed to work seamlessly with the Bosch KDS and ESI[tronic] software, equally it works as a standalone solution, that can be used in conjunction with the original manufacturer software.
ADAS One is intuitive – not only does it guide you through the process, but it can even tell you how much space you need around you and the tools required, plus it enables you to order Bosch parts direct.
This intuitive process minimises the amount of training that’s required to calibrate ADAS Systems. The result is that the garage can move through their bookings faster, as the time it takes to calibrate a vehicle and produce the print out confirming it’s done is 7-8 minutes. Sensors and cameras covered by ADAS One:
- Front camera
- Front radar sensor
- Surround view camera
- Rear camera
- Rear radar sensor
- Lidar sensor
How does the software equip workshops for the future?
A vital way ADAS One enables technicians to stay future-focused, is that it is constantly updated in line with industry developments.
For example, recently we expanded the portfolio to include the CTA 120 radar reflector for calibrating radar sensors. Not only that, but we brought out the CTA 110 Doppler simulator for lateral and rear radar calibration, ensuring full functionality of the lane change assist.
Both of these can be set up and fine-tuned using the ADAS One Solution calibration software, so workshops can operate their own high-performance, future-proof ADAS calibration system independent of vehicle brand, while halving the setup time compared to manual measurement and alignment routines.
Are there any updates or developments in the pipeline?
ADAS software and the DAS 3000 cover almost every vehicle available in the EU market at the moment, but we are continuously updating them. Recently we are working on a new hardware update, which will cover 360° calibration around the car, effectively futureproofing it for ADAS Level 3 type vehicles.
The structure of the DAS 3000 facilitates easy, continuous updates, so when manufacturers introduce a new method of calibration, the DAS 3000 can be updated in line with it.
The DAS 3000
This universal computer based calibration and adjustment device part of the ADAS software – thanks to its quick setup, innovative multifunction- fixture, robust but manoeuvrable design, and broad selection of adjustable calibration targets.
