Simply put, ADAS or Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, is designed to assist a driver in the process of driving, making the experience safe, comfortable and simpler. There are several modes of ADAS available; some are built-in traits and others are available as add-on features. Additionally, there are aftermarket solutions available. These systems include Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), High Beam Safety System (HSS), Traffic Signals Recognition (TSR), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), traction control, and more.

WHY ADAS?

The expanding need for safe driving conditions increased the demand for comfortable driving among people. Growing per capita income and government safety regulations are also adding to the germination of the safety systems in the automotive industry. The computerized ADAS system in the vehicle is shown to reduce road casualties by lessening human error.

MARKET EVALUATION

Talking of the market, expanding innovation of technology and the growth of initiatives towards vehicle automation have boosted the need for the safety of the driver and support systems over the previous decade. The ADAS market is currently restrained by the growth of software failure incidences in sensors and its high cost for large-scale acceptability of these systems. The challenge is to boost system efficiency and performance sans the price hike. The ADAS market of the Asia-Pacific region is expected to touch USD 9.69 billion by 2023 with a CAGR of 28.6% within 2018-2023.

Government initiatives for mandating driver assistance systems to lower the cases of road accidents is supposedly the reason behind increased market growth. Next-generation ADAS will anchor wireless network connectivity to offer refined value by using Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) or V2X in general.

ADVANTAGES AND CHALLENGES

  • Reduces loss of life and property
  • Fewer accidents, resulting in reduced damages or cost of repair
  • Few insurers offer reduced costs/discounts for ADAS fitted vehicles

Whilst relying on technology completely for improved safety is not anticipated, it can notably help avoid possible road perils. However, since ADAS is available in the market, many operators, dealers, and drivers are left with difficulties surrounding implementation, options to choose from, and usage. There have been several cases of driver-mistrust of advanced technologies along with cases of total reliance that technology will save them.

As technology advances, the responsibility of maintaining an ADAS fleet increases. Due to the ever-changing nature of technology, there are issues around calibration and risks of litigation and motor fleet insurance terms. With insurers putting ‘the decline in accident frequency’ and ‘reduced whiplash claims’ as the most important benefits of ADAS, there is no doubt around their importance to fleets.

Sensors in the future may become self-calibrating and sensitive with greater capabilities as well, transferring focus on constant training around particular requirements and practices. It is only with engagement in regular training and technological awareness, that the advantages of ADAS are becoming apparent and measurable.

ADAS is certainly at a point where a lot of things need to be put into place, but it is only beneficial for now to invest in ADAS for all the safety concerns.

TRENDS

The top 5 ADAS trends that have surfaced are as follows:

  1.  Automatic Vision Systems for cars are crucial to the identification of possible perils. It not only provides crucial input for high-level warning functions, like for lane drifting or overlooked traffic, but also provides the data needed to back services including automatic parallel parking or traffic signal detection for speed-change admonitory. Vision systems also provide the base for driver monitoring systems that raise an alert when the driver’s attention wavers due to distraction or drowsiness.
  2.  Sensors for monitoring the vehicle’s close surroundings, blind spots, and also drivers. Sensors for Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), infrared detection and radar offer robust solutions for both Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) which responds to traffic changes, and for systems designed to maintain a safe gap during stop-and-go driving in high traffic areas. Advanced sensor fusion combines the different sensor outputs with extra information to give-out more predictive types of admonitory. For example, automotive system designers are creating systems capable of predicting a loss of friction between the tire and the road by combining sensor data from vehicle-acceleration sensors, tire-pressure sensors, anti-lock braking systems, and electronic stability control.
  3.  Wireless connectivity is playing a strong role in both internal and external connectivity of the automobile. Accompanying essential systems such as tire-pressure monitoring and anti-lock braking systems, wireless prospects provide greater pliability for conventional automotive communication protocols such as FlexRay, CAN, and XCP among others. Besides reducing wires and cables, the rise of highly integrated wireless accessories provides a flexible base for keeping drivers informed about traffic situations, vehicle status, and alternative routes. New trends, like automated predictive maintenance systems and the Internet of Things (IoT), ensure to connect smart devices, within automobiles, with cloud-based apps to further refine services.
  4.  Automatic system infrastructure in the automobiles, as it needs a stable design platform for the processors spread throughout. The rise of safety functionality in real-time operating systems (RTOS) and supporting software provide automotive software architects the certainty of a proven software infrastructure. Engineers today, can find a viable list of RTOS and development tools to support the international safety standards for vehicles on road. Additionally, industry standards like AUTOSAR (Automotive Open System Architecture) provides designers with a general interface for combining distinct third-party software and apps within the automobile.
  5. Automotive HMI design to make the interaction with the drivers distraction-free. Perhaps the most assuring trend lies in the advanced human-machine interface (HMI) technologies to automobile systems. Touch-free HMI systems ensure interaction with the driver without requiring them to move their hands from the steering wheel. Voice-operated systems and precise driver monitoring systems using eye-tracking technologies continue to bridge the gaps with conventional touch-based interfaces. Head-up displays (HUD) ensure to roadway focus, using imaging devices to project high-contrast images.

About the Author

Vinayak S Kumbar heads the Automotive Practice at Global Edge Software Limited. He can be reached at sk.vinayak@globaledgesoft.com.

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