Superlarge diversified global manufacturer Dover Corporation and Burke Porter Group, a supplier of testing and assembly systems, are partnering to develop “Mosaic”, which they say is the “first-ever” automated calibration system for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
ADAS is the umbrella term referring a number of technologies which give cars and other vehicles certain features that make them more automated or autonomous. Examples include collision avoidance, autonomous braking in emergencies, self-parking, and cruise control.
The specific Dover business unit involved in the partnership is Chief Collision Technology, formerly known as Chief Automotive Technology and part of VSG and Dover.
The partnership with Burke Porter is aimed at creating “Mosaic” advanced diagnostic technology, which the companies claim is “the industry’s first-ever automated advanced driver-assistance systems calibration system”.
The companies say that, by 2022, the majority of all new vehicles on the market will have ADAS systems, such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure and blind spot monitoring, and Mosaic ADT is designed to help customers navigate the complex future of collision repair.
Lee Daugherty, vice president of global collision sales for Chief Collision Technology, says: “We want technicians to have the confidence to make accurate and error-free ADAS recalibrations through comprehensive understanding of new vehicle technologies.
“As ADAS technology on vehicles is constantly changing, it was important for us when designing this product to partner with someone like the Burke Porter Group, which has spent the last 30 years developing this same technology that OEMs 9original equipment manufacturers) use for end-of-line calibrations.”
Chief Collision Technology says Mosaic ADT is “state-of-the-art software” which uses the OEM repair procedures to accurately and efficiently guide technicians through the calibration process ensuring that the most up-to-date information is used.
It adds that, unlike other aftermarket systems that rely on centering, squaring and positioning targets by manually using tape measures, plumb bobs and chalk lines, Mosaic ADT does it automatically.
It also verifies that the correct target is placed in front of the vehicle by sensing which target is hung and validating it against the OEM repair procedure.
That means no manual measurements or adjustments are required, reducing the risk of human error. This is a key factor in improving the accuracy of calibration, lowers the risk of liability and greatly reduces the set-up time.
David DeBoer, CEO of Burke Porter Group, says: “Our strategic alliance with Chief combines their pre-eminent position in the aftermarket collision and repair industry with our advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise in OEM ADAS calibration systems.
“Together, we are addressing a significant unmet need for safe and reliable calibrations as ADAS systems continue to quickly penetrate the market. Mosaic ADT offers a cost-effective aftermarket solution using factory developed calibration technology to place vehicles on the road safely.”
Today’s vehicles are increasingly complex, requiring technicians with the technological expertise and training necessary to make ADAS repairs.
Daugherty adds: “When ADAS systems are damaged, recalibration is a critical part of the repair process.
“That is why we require each technician using Mosaic ADT to go through specialized training and certification in order to operate the system because it is imperative for technicians to understand how to properly repair, recalibrate and test a vehicle before sending it back out on the road.”
The companies outlined the way it works:
- A technician drives the vehicle in front of the Mosaic ADT system and plugs into the ODBII port of the vehicle. The scan tool analyzes the vehicle and tells the technician if there are any major faults and which ADAS features are present.
- Once the technician determines the necessary calibrations, the Mosaic ADT system will take them through the OEM repair procedures and identify the appropriate calibration target (which is verified by an RFID chip) for the vehicle.
- The system then centers and squares itself to the vehicle automatically, eliminating potential human error.
- This automation gives the shop enhanced liability protection and cuts the calibration set-up time drastically.
- Once positioned correctly, and OEM procedures are followed, an ASE-certified technician remotely connects to perform the calibration using an OEM scan tool.
- Finally, the Mosaic ADT system captures and records the full calibration process and repair history of the vehicle to document that the OEM repair procedure was followed correctly. This report can be provided to the customer and is also stored electronically for future reference.
