A Deep Dive Into ADAS: The Technology Behind The Wheel

The world of motoring involves freedom, love, exploration, pain and hatred. These emotions step in between the man and the machine all the time, eventually affecting the fate of all lives involved. While you can't trust emotions blindly, you can involve technology to step in and intervene. Technology like ADAS.

Short form for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, ADAS is kind of a superhero who’s always got your back. This superhero uses cameras, sensors and a sprinkle of tech wizardry to keep you safer on the road. From alerting you when you’re about to nod off to hitting the brakes before you and your car say, “Oops!”, ADAS is like a superhero in your dashboard.

Imagine being on the Delhi-Lucknow expressway in December, enjoying your favourite song on the audio system with friends and you can’t see anything due to the fog-induced zero visibility. But then your vehicle's ADAS does automatic braking and slows down your speed to avoid a stranded vehicle in the middle of the road. ADAS has your back!

There are various types of ADAS, each with its own speciality. Lane Keep Assist stops you from wandering into the next lane like a lost tourist. Adaptive Cruise Control keeps your speed and distance in check, preventing unnecessary brake-tapping in traffic. 

So, whether you see it as a car’s conscience or an overbearing passenger, ADAS is here to stay. It will make driving smarter, safer and surprisingly entertaining. Buckle up—the future just beeped in.

If you think ADAS means self-driving cars, you’re wrong. The core idea behind ADAS is to enhance the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle safely without removing full control. These systems include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic panic/emergency braking and automatic parking to ensure the driver remains in control during challenging situations.

What is ADAS?

Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) are technical elements that improve car safety. These devices help improve safety and response times by warning drivers about possible threats. Some features are integrated into automobiles as standard while some car manufacturers add these features only in their higher variants.

The ADAS components collect data about your lane, nearby traffic, road closures and blockages. They also analyse driving styles and detect driver distractions.

These devices aim to reduce human errors and are also helpful if the driver falls asleep or cannot detect blind spots. Nowadays, brands are focusing on safety features more than luxury ones. The ADAS technology is growing year by year and automation has improved to make cars safer.

Examples of ADAS features include:

• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Forward Collision Alert
• High Beam Protection System
• Lane Departure Alert
• Automated Driving
• Auto Braking
• Rear Collision Warning

Some ADAS features rely on either a single front camera or a front stereovision camera.

How does ADAS work?

ADAS works using camera-based sensors to make the driver more alert. Automobile companies use a collection of Systems on Chip (SoC) to implement ADAS. These chips are connected to sensors via interfaces and high-performance electronic control units (ECUs).

New models use multiple sensors and data inputs to offer beneficial security mechanisms. ADAS is also based on automotive imaging, which uses high-quality sensor systems that match and surpass the capabilities of the naked eye. It covers 360-degree situations, making it useful in bad weather and extremely low-light conditions.

In India, several cars come with ADAS, such as the Mahindra XUV700, Tata Nexon and MG Gloster.

Types of ADAS

Passive ADAS

As the name suggests, the passive ADAS computer only alerts the driver to a dangerous situation. No matter how many sensors are installed, Passive ADAS doesn’t take any action. In this system, the driver must take the necessary steps to stop the vehicle.

Active ADAS

This is the more useful version of ADAS. In this system, the computer detects danger and acts accordingly to reduce speed or apply brakes. It provides a high level of security.

ADAS Levels

The levels of ADAS start from Level 0 and go up to Level 5.

Level 0:

Level 0 ADAS includes basic features like a reverse camera system, reverse beep sensors, blind-spot detection, emergency braking and ABS. In Level 0, there is no direct control by the system.

Level 1:

Level 1 ADAS includes adaptive cruise control along with Level 0 features. At this level, the car's emergency control systems depend on both the driver and the computer.

Level 2:

At Level 2, cars can control steering, increase or decrease speed and handle certain tasks. Tesla’s Autopilot is based on Level 2 ADAS features. Indian cars like the Mahindra XUV700 also offer Level 2 ADAS systems.

Level 3:

Here, AI comes into play. Level 3 ADAS uses multiple driver assistance functions and Artificial Intelligence to collect data and make decisions. The car takes control of steering, braking and acceleration. The Range Rover Velar S R-Dynamic comes with Level 3 ADAS.

Level 4:

Unlike Level 3, where the system asks the driver to intervene when needed, Level 4 ADAS makes decisions independently in most situations. However, the driver can still take control if desired.

Level 5:

Level 5 ADAS surpasses human drivers. At this level, the machine can control everything on its own. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Currently, there are no Level 5 ADAS options available for the general public.

Benefits of ADAS

ADAS has many benefits, including automated and fog driving. Some other advantages are:

• Automatic driving reduces driver fatigue, which is one of the main causes of accidents.
• It warns you about other vehicles on the road even when visibility is down.
• The cruise control feature improves fuel economy by maintaining a consistent speed.
• ADAS prevents front and rear collisions.
• It assists drivers in parking.

Demerits of ADAS

While ADAS features are designed to help drivers, there is no inherent drawback to these systems. However, some drivers misuse these features, leading to reckless behaviour.

ADAS is a computer-based safety feature. How you use it, sensibly or otherwise, is up to you.