Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have revolutionized vehicle safety and efficiency. This technology has grown so much in the automotive industry that customers have come to expect them, and many buyers have developed a preference for these features. McKinsey and Company found about 80%of consumers would repurchase the ADAS features they have today. From the OEM and supplier perspective, ADAS technology has become a point of differentiation and an innovation area. The global ADAS market is expected to grow to 35 billion by 2025. While automotive may have been the launch pad for this technology, it has grown to other industries at a rapid rate. This article provides an overview of ADAS technologies and their applications across a variety of industries such as motorcycles, powersports, and off-highway vehicles.
Industry
ADAS technologies enhance driver safety and convenience. These systems use a combination of sensors, cameras, radar, and lidar to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings and assist the driver in making informed decisions. Key ADAS features in automobiles include:
- Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) can help the driver avoid accidents by giving an alert as well as automatic partial and full braking. The EBA function may cascade various warning and braking stages as well as various levels of deceleration.
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA) supports the driver by keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane within a full speed range. LKA can be coupled with Adaptive Cruise Control to support lateral and longitudinal control.
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW) monitors the “blind spot area” of the vehicle, Sensors monitor the rear and side of the vehicle and give a warning to the driver of an oncoming vehicle.
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) behaves as a conventional cruise control system in an open lane condition. When approaching a slower vehicle in the subject vehicle path, the ACC system uses the Powertrain and the Electronic Brake System to adjust the vehicle’s speed.
- Parking & Visualization Features
- Surround View gives the driver new and previously unobtainable viewpoints of their vehicle. The driver can select the view they want to see such as a front facing passenger side view.
- Selective Transparency allows the driver to ‘see through’ sections of the vehicle. ‘Transparent Hood’ and ‘Transparent Trailer’ are some examples.
- Automated Parking scans parking areas for spaces and suggests suitable spots to the driver. If the driver accepts, the vehicle parks itself.
Motorcycles
One of the first vehicle types to adopt driver assist technologies after automotive was motorcycles. In this case, Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS™) incorporate a range of innovative functions designed to assist riders in various situations without compromising the joy of riding. Let us take a closer look at some of the key features:
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD): Alerts riders to vehicles in their blind spots.
- Lane Change Assist goes a step beyond BSD to give a more proactive warning before the upcoming vehicle reaches the motorcycle’s path.
- Front Collision Warning monitors traffic ahead of the rider and issues a warning if a collision seems likely.
- Rear Collision Warning monitors the rearward traffic and issues a warning if a vehicle approaches the motorcycle with a high relative speed.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) provides useful information to the rider and enables him to maintain a safe distance from the traffic ahead.
While the integration of ADAS in motorcycles presents unique challenges, such as maintaining rider control, these technologies hold great promise for improving rider safety and comfort.
Off-Highway Vehicles
ADAS technologies have also made significant inroads into off-highway vehicles, such as construction, mining, and agricultural machinery. Unlike passenger vehicles, off-highway vehicles operate in unstructured environments, requiring more advanced and robust ADAS systems. Off-highway solutions can range from assistance system to fully autonomous operations.
Key features include:
- Scalable Collision Avoidance System
- Visualization Features
- 360 Visualization
- Selective Views
- Transparent Hood
- Perception Features
- Object Detection
- Pedestrian Detection
- Conveyer Belt Systems
- Driver Awareness
- Forward Collision Warning
- Head Light Assist
- Back Up Assist
- Blind Spot Warning
- Assisted Driving
- Automated Emergency Braking
- Backup assist w/ Pedestrian Braking
Powersport Vehicles
In the off-road powersport vehicle segment, which includes side-by-sides, safety can improve through innovative technologies. Latest advancements aim to provide drivers with better visibility, control, and stability in challenging terrains. Here is a summary of the key features they offer to make off-roading safer and more enjoyable.
- Surround View: Provides a 360-degree panoramic view around the vehicle, improving visibility and control on trails, dunes, and forests.
- Transparent Hood: Uses historical ground plane data to reveal obstacles hidden by the vehicle’s hood, aiding in safer navigation on downhill terrain.
- Off-Road ABS: Prevents wheel lock to maintain steering control in challenging conditions.
- Hill Descent Control (HDC): Applies brakes strategically to maintain a selected speed during steep descents.
- Brake Traction Control (BTC): Transfers power from slipping wheels to those with traction, ensuring optimal control on difficult terrain.
ADAS technologies are transforming the landscape of vehicle safety and efficiency across various industries. From enhancing driver assistance in automobiles to improving operational safety in off-highway vehicles, powersport vehicles, and motorcycles, ADAS is paving the way for a safer and more automated future. As these technologies continue to evolve, we can expect even greater advancements and wider adoption across different vehicle types.
