Autoglass® Launches ADAS Calibration Solution to Keep
Latest Driver Tech Up and Running
Monday 5th October, 2015: Today Autoglass® announces the launch of their new technical
solution to replace and recalibrate windscreens equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance
Systems (ADAS), which is now being trialled to roll-out across the country. This industry first
means car owners will no longer be inconvenienced by having to go back to the manufacturer
dealership to get ADAS technology recalibrated after they’ve had their windscreen replaced;
saving customers on time with this end-to-end solution.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) monitor vehicle surroundings, support the driver
and improve road safety through multifunction cameras which are mounted on the windscreen
and/or other vehicle glass. Following a windscreen replacement, some vehicle manufacturers
state that the cameras need to be recalibrated to function properly but research from
Autoglass® reveals a worrying lack of awareness among car drivers about this potential safety
issue. Two in three car drivers (67%) admitted they didn’t even realise that the cameras which
control these important safety features are installed on or near the windscreen.i
Autoglass® solution for ADAS calibration comes at a time when consumers are more techobsessed than ever before, with the majority (83%) of Brits describing themselves as ‘techsavvy.’ This is reflected in the fact that over half (56%) of the drivers surveyed claimed to have
some type of the latest tech in their cars ranging from park assist and emergency break assist to
heated wiper blades and smartphone integration – suggesting the need for ADAS calibration will
be on the rise. As it stands, 1% of all windscreen replacements completed by Autoglass®
require calibration – a number which is forecasted to grow quickly and double year on year.
Autoglass® has been working with industry experts for over two years to find a convenient
solution that meets the needs of their customers whose car requires calibration of ADAS
features. ADAS calibration entails triggering the specific vehicle software that determines if the
windscreen-mounted camera is positioned to be able to take accurate readings and
measurements for ADAS functionalities. This will correct small positional changes by reframing
what the camera sees via the software. Even one degree of difference from the original factory
setting could have a big impact on the operation of key safety automated features like
emergency break assist. The ADAS calibration solution by Autoglass® uses a custom-made
diagnostic tool before and after a windscreen replacement, which ensures the calibration has
been carried out correctly.
Dr Chris Davis, Head of Technical Superiority at Autoglass® commented on the
announcement:
“At Autoglass® we have a dedicated team and invest over £2m annually on research and
development to ensure we’re providing the complete service to our customers and futureproofing our business. ADAS calibration is just one example of return on this continual
investment – but it certainly won’t be the last.”
“Cars are rapidly becoming increasingly connected and complex and a lot of the new technology
we enjoy in our cars such as lane keep assist or automated emergency breaking, is reliant on
the windscreen. However, over the next twenty years the windscreen could become a driver’s
dashboard with augmented reality GPS and more – the possibilities are endless. As vehicle
glass becomes more complex, repair and replacement also becomes more technically
challenging and we, as the world’s leading vehicle repair and replacement specialist, must
evolve and upskill to drive industry standards and better meet customer needs.”
When asked the main reason to consider a new car, the number one reason amongst drivers
was to have better safety features (19%). What’s more, drivers are willing to splash cash on
new safety tech with 59% saying they would pay more for these features. Despite this desire for
the latest in safety technology, drivers are unsure about how they actually operate. Just over
one in ten (11%) can confidently say they know everything about using the latest safety features
in their car like adaptive cruise control; lane departure warning and emergency break assist.
The number one reason cited to invest in new tech is to make life easier (37%) and consumers
will expect their investment to do just that – including vehicle glass repairs.
Taxiarchis Konstantopoulos, Managing Director of Autoglass® commenting on the
announcement said:
“We are thrilled to announce our ADAS calibration technology which addresses the current gap
in the vehicle glass repair and replacement industry here in the UK. We are the nation’s leader
in VGRR want to remind the aftermarket sector that we must continue to evolve so that the
processes used to maintain vehicles are as new and innovative as the cars themselves. As a
business with customer service at its heart, we will always invest in research and development
to ensure our service meets and exceeds customer needs – no matter what car they drive now
and in the future. Our commitment is to continue investing in our people by equipping our
technicians with the latest training and best-in-class tools and techniques to ensure they are
best placed to deliver this solution to our customers.”
-endsNote to editors:
For further details, please contact Stephanie Hutchinson at H+K Strategies:
stephanie.hutchinson@hkstrategies.com, 020 7413 3073
About Autoglass®
Autoglass® is the UK’s leading vehicle glass repair and replacement service. For details
of your nearest centre call 0800 36 36 36 or visit www.autoglass.co.uk.
i
The research study was commissioned by Autoglass and carried out by OnePoll in September, 2015. 1,000 UK drivers we
surveyed.