ADAS AND ACCESSORIZATION
Designing and Installing Products to Ensure ADAS Compatibility
››› Exterior modifications such as aftermarket bumpers, valences, or even a simple vinyl wrap can degrade ADAS's ability to "see" through it, so sensor location needs to be taken into account before the installation takes place.
In a past issue of SEMA News, we reviewed a SEMA Education seminar that discussed the challenges and opportunities posed to the specialty-equipment market by the proliferation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) on OE vehicles ("ADAS and The Art of Vehicle Customization," May 2022). In the article, we discussed the proper procedures to follow when lifting or lowering a vehicle. This article now takes a look at a follow-up session, "Modding Vehicles With ADAS," which aimed to provide insight for designers and manufacturers of exterior dress-up and bolt-on components who want to make sure their products are ADAS-compatible.
Hosted by Nick Dominato, senior vice president of product for Repairify, the session reviewed some basic ADAS features and what companies need to keep in mind when designing their products to work with ADAS, what restylers should know when installing them, and to ensure proper recalibration of those systems once installation is complete.
Working With Body Kits and Accessories
For this seminar, Dominato chose to focus on ADAS' park sensors and front and rear (blind spot) radar sensors—"areas where we typically add a front fascia, a grille guard or a front or rear bumper," he explains. This type of modification "typically doesn't affect the camera, but it does affect the park sensors and the radar sensors that are located behind the bumper."
Start with park sensors. According to Dominato, they are very susceptible to blockages. "Park sensors are typically not located behind the bumper, so if you don't put anything directly in front of them, they'll generally be fine."
The key components for accessorizers, then, are the radar sensors. These are
typically located either behind the bumpers, behind the grille or embedded in the taillight housings. As engineered, the sensors do have the ability to "see through" the factory plastic bumpers, but the bumper covers do affect the operation of the radar systems. Specifically, the sensors are designed to work with the OE bumper's outer fascia.
››› Metal objects that protrude a distance from the vehicle, such as a brush guard or winch bumper, present their own set of challenges, and designers and installers need to take the sensors' operating angles into consideration when R&D'ing exterior bolt-ons so as to minimize sensor interference.
How Modifications Affect ADAS
In short, placing something in front of the radar will affect the sensor in three ways:
Power Loss: "Automakers generally accept about a 10% reduction in range when they put a bumper cover in front of that radar sensor," Dominato said, and sensors are designed with that level of imperfection in mind.
Sensitivity Loss: Installing a body panel in front of the radar is going to create "noise" and interference that will reduce the sensitivity of the sensor on the margin. In terms of its ability to detect road objects, "that giant dump truck in front of you that weighs 15,000 lbs. won't matter," Dominato said, "We have to think on the margins—that marginal object with a smaller radar cross-section, that's going to be what's affected."
Wave Distortions: This can be affected by the shape of the bumper cover. A concave or other angular-shaped fascia, for instance, can distort the radar wave. "When the radar passes through plastic or metal, it will actually change the wave of the radar sensor if the bumper cover is angled because it changes the shape of the radar wave," Dominato explained. This can cause radar to "read" an object as being slightly to the left or right of its actual location.
Another key element: Radar performance can be degraded without launching an error code or engaging a dash light. "Just because adaptive cruise control works because it can 'see' that dump truck a hundred meters ahead, it doesn't mean it's going to work on the that marginal object." This could be a pedestrian exiting the curb or cyclist in a bike lane, both of which possess a much smaller cross-section for the radar system to identify."
The "Magic Area" and How to Work With It
When integrating aftermarket fascias, bumpers and exterior bolt-ons with ADAS systems, an important thing to take into consideration is the so-called "magic area" known as the radar projection area, i.e., the origin point of the radar signal. Manufacturers typically design their ADAS radar systems with an initial projection area of approximately 12x12 in. with the realization that the projection area increases as the radar signal emanates outward from the vehicle.
Starting with plastic components such as front fascias or bumpers, the key for aftermarket manufacturers is to design their products as close to identical to OE spec for material composition, thickness and curvature within the radar projection area. "You want to mimic the OEM bumper cover as best you can within that 12x12 projection area," Dominato recommended.
Metal components such as grille guards and winch bumpers pose a different challenge, and Dominato suggested the following steps: "The first thing to do is find out where the radar sensor is," which sounds easy enough until you realize there's no industry standardization for this, and that sensor location will vary by manufacturer.
"Sometimes it will be behind the emblem, or slightly offset from the emblem, and sometimes it's on the lower portion of the grille, and sometimes, as is the case with the Ford F-150, it's offset much lower to one side or the other," Dominato observed.
Next, apply the same "12x12" principle to the winch bumper as you would with a plastic fascia, with the aim of being as precise as possible in your measurements. "The OE manufacturers do not allow any sanding, filling, primer, welding or repair work at all within that radar projection area," Dominato emphasized. "So if plastic welding and Bondo aren't allowed within that radar area, imagine what happens when you place a piece of metal in front of it. It's going to cause a ton of interference."
Restyling & Car Care Accessories
As of August 15, 2023
ABM International Inc. 12724
Adam's Polishes 51281
Aeolus Industrial 12145
Alea Leather 51125
All-Fit Automotive 52072
American Modified 12545
American Standard Window Film 52107
Angel-GUARD Products Inc. 51053
Angelwax Inc. 54163
Anhui Glossonly Auto Products Co. Ltd. 12762
Apollo Window Film 12971
Arksci Technologies LLC 12161
Audly Car Accessories Co. Ltd. 12367
Auto Addict USA 12173
Autocap North America 51267
Autofiber 51169
Avery Dennison 52119
AZUTO 52278
B&B Blending 50127
BDK USA Inc. 50119
Bling Sauce World Class Care Products 12827
BLVD-LPF 53082
Braun Brush Co. 54169
Buff and Shine Manufacturing 51155
California Car Duster 54143
CalTrend Seat Covers-Robbins Auto Top-GAHH-E-Z On Auto Tops 54131
CarCandy Automotive Detail Products 12929
CarCapsule USA 54051
CARIGHT Tint & Wrap Tools Manufacturing Ltd. 52266
Ceramic Pro 52095
CFC FILMS INC. 12565
Changchun Zi Xin Auto Supplies Co. Ltd. 12641
Changzhou Bona Vehicle Parts Co. Ltd. 11350
Changzhou Desai Vehicle Accessories Co. Ltd. 12851
Changzhou Pengxiang Automobile Decoration Factory 54215
Changzhou Wenye Auto Lamp Co. Ltd. 12918
Changzhou Xinkai Auto Parts Co., Ltd 12131
Changzhou Yuhang Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 12952
CHEERMO Films 12925
Chongqing Film One Sister Brand Management Co. Ltd. 11323
CleanyKorea Co. Ltd. 12748
ClearPro 11439
CMST Tuning–Carbon Fiber 12727
Coast to Coast International (CCI) 54063
COATING FARM CERAMICS 12475
Colourlock 54253
Concept Chemicals & Coatings Ltd. 12763
CONCO America 12553
Conergies Zhejiang New Material Technology Co. Ltd. 12442
CoolVu Auto Spa 52272
Coplus Inc. 12737
CovrGard 13049
CPI 0260 Supply 12121
Creathome Inc. 51277
Cynosura International Co. Ltd. 52276
Danyang Jinfeng Vehicle Technology Co. Ltd. 12345
Danyang Simai Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 12648
Dash Designs Inc. 51055
Dawn Enterprises Inc. 52056
DC Safety Sales Co. Inc. 52052
Detail Guardz (Operated Under Nordica Plastics Ltd.) 51257
Detail Radius 12625
Diamond ProTech 12343
Dongsai (China) Car-styling Co. Ltd. 12326
DR. COLORCHIP CORP. 52082
DryceNation 12127
Dry Ice Energy 12852
DuraSlic 52263
Dynabrade 12517
Eagle Enterprises Inc. 52108
Eastman Performance Films LLC 52051
ECP Inc. 51079
Energizer Holdings Inc. 50273
Eureka Leather 12428
EVOLV 50263
ExoShield 51119
FariCars 50255
Fenyang Dingxin Films Technology Co. Ltd. 12659
Filink/Clif Designs 51063
Fireball Co. Ltd. 12937
FlexiShield 51091
Flex Power Tools 51131
Flink International Co. Ltd. 11451
FM Co. Ltd. 12422
Foshan Yuxi Automobile Technology Co. Ltd. 12249
Fujimi Corp. 52274
Full Throttle Wraps 12231
Fun Lines 51109
Fusion Tools 53271
GD JG Electronic Ltd. 13176
GlasWeld 55214
Gliptone 54073
Global Window Films 50139
GLORY AUTOMOBILE 12768
GreenLight LLC 12964
Griot's Garage 52163
Grit Guard Inc. 54125
GS27 12438
GSUIT 54199
GSWF 52217
Gtechniq 54205
Guangdong Carbonss Tuning Co. Ltd. 12916
Guangdong Carlas Industrial Trade Co. Ltd. 12917
Guangdong Hantai Decoration Material Co. Ltd. 12468
Guangdong New Vision Film Co. Ltd. 55248
Guangzhou Carbins Film Co. Ltd. 11656
Guangzhou Cheyu Auto Technology Co,. Ltd. 12284
Guangzhou DCR Tuning Co. Ltd. 11549
Guangzhou Hongyi Zhiche Technology Co. Ltd. 13163
Guangzhou Huizhongxiuwai New Material Co. Ltd. 12974
Guangzhou Jiaji Automotive Accessories Co. Ltd. 12464
Guangzhou Jin Mai Ke Technology Co. Ltd. 13064
Guangzhou Joesong New Materials Technology Co. Ltd. 12617
Guangzhou Jubao Auto Parts Manufacturing Co. Ltd. 13143
Guangzhou Kaqidun Auto Accessories Co. Ltd. 13155
Guangzhou Laige Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 53086
Guangzhou Nick Automotive Film Co. Ltd. 12749
Guangzhou Smart Cool Plastic Film Co. Ltd. 13137
Guangzhou SunVision New Material Co. Ltd. 12976
Guangzhou Yajiu Composite Co. Ltd. 52267
Guangzhou YOUKISS Trade Co. Ltd. 12549
Guangzhou Youtai Car Accessories Co. Ltd. 12649
Guangzhou Yupeng Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 51221
Guangzhou ZhongTaiHuaXing Window Film Technology 12876
Guangzhou ZSMELL New Materials Technology Co. Ltd. 12920
Hangzhou Ruika Technology Co. Ltd. 12537
HEXIS 52185
HOHO 12444
Honey Combination 13059
Hubei Shine Guys Auto Accessories Co. Ltd. 13159
Huizhou Weika Composites Co. Ltd. 13082
Huntsman Gomet 13077
IGL Coatings 51185
IK SPRAYERS 54219
Inozetek 50235
International Window Film Association 12365
IT'S WIN 12147
Ivios 12427
Jax Wax Car Care Products 54243, 54249
JC Sportline Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 12261
Jiangsu Aerospace Sanyou Technology Co. Ltd. 53079
Jiangsu Biaokai Automotive Technology Co. Ltd. 11326
Jiangxi Kewei Solar Film Co. Ltd. 54147
Jingyi Men 11660
Johnson Window Films Inc. 50051
KAMIKAZE Collection 12673
Katzkin Leather Inc. 50105
KDX America 50159
KFC-TPU Film 12769
KIY Carbon Co. Ltd. 12186
KK Label Zhong Shan Inc. 54101
Koch-Chemie 54259
#LABOCOSMETICA 12239
Lake Country/LC Power Tools 51235
Leather Repair Co. 12325
LEDIN Inc. 12773
LEGEND Paint Protection Film 52271
Luxury Sprinter Seats 12816
Madico Inc. 50083
Malco Automotive/Presta Products 54107
Maxpro Window Films 54153
Maxshine 52197
McLaren Car Care 13073
Mega Racer 13068
Mengzhou Yuxiangyun Auto Electronics Co. Ltd. 12817
MetroVac 54078
MGP Caliper Covers 54067
Microfiber-korea.com 12337
Mimaki USA 12437
MOD.AL GROUP Inc. 24516
MODELLISTA 13017
Monde Industrial Co. Ltd. 13145
M2 Machines 51109
Mutoh America Inc. 50173
NANOSKIN Car Care Products 52083
Nantong NKODA Polyurethane Technology Co. Ltd. 12443
NAR PPF 12255
Nasiol 53253
NiceWrap Inc. 11339
Ningbo Carbest International Trading Co. Ltd. 12968
Ningbo Chenfan Auto Accessories Co. Ltd. 12949
Ningbo Guhang Electronic Technology Co. Ltd. 13153
Ningbo Summer Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 12474
Ningbo WB Auto Accessories Co. Ltd. 13141
Novsight Lighting Technology Inc. 12223
NXTZEN 12653
Odor Medicine/Aerosol Dyes 51083
Onyx Coating GmbH 13172
Opti-Coat 54087
ORAFOL & KPMF 50205
Orexmotorsports 52078
OTOM Car Seat Covers 12155
OYA Carbon Co. Ltd. 12416
Pacific Rim & Trim International 54119
P&S Detail Products 51147
Pan Taiwan Enterprise Co. Ltd. 53090
Paracoat 12872
PDS EQUIPMENT 12637
Po Kai 11446
Poya-Tech Co. Ltd. 12864
Pressure On Demand Systems LLC 52079
PRO PRODUCTS 54235
PRO Cup Challenge 50185
Professional Detailing Products 12948
Profilm 12417
Proje Car Care Products 12230
Project Autoparts_ONYX 12858
Protec Window Film 53083
PURESTAR 54227
Quzhou Longding Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 12716
The Rag Co. 54175
RAGGTOPP/Wolfsteins Pro-Series 52172
Rasco Industries Inc. 12645
Rayno Window Film 12459
RestorFX 54265
Restylers International 52050
Rev Auto Car Care 11255
Revivify Coatings 51261
REVOLVE STEERING 12983
Rhopoint Americas Inc. 12875
Ruff Tuff Products 54079
Ruian City Qianchuan Auto Accessories 51269
Ruian Fairdeal International Trading Co. Ltd. 12849
Ruian Tianlong Trading Co. Ltd. 12317
RUPES S.p.A. 52171
SB3 Coating 51245
SeaSucker 54185
SeatbeltPlanet 54086
SEKISUI S-LEC 54271
Shanghai Ho Chi Technology Co. Ltd. 51217
Sharpline Converting Inc. 51141
Shenzhen Gulin Power Technology Co. Ltd. 13070
Shenzhen Jinfengchi Technology Co. Ltd. 13139
Shenzhen Vinstar Photoelectricity Co. Ltd. 51211
Shenzhen Zeal Optoelectronic Technology Co. Ltd. 51273
Shiniest Industries Inc. 51051
SICAN WINDOW FILM 55168
SlipStream Pro 12877
S.M. Arnold Inc. 54082
SNC Tuning 12859
Solar Gard 50097
Solink International Manufactures Co. Ltd. 52089
SONAX-Premium Car Care 52131
Sourcemost USA Inc. 12359
STEK 52205
Stinger Chemical 51163
Stoner Car Care 51227
Sulameder PPF and Window Film 12953
Suzhou Moxi International Trade Co. Ltd. 12823
Swift Response LLC Flex Seal 50165
Symplex USA 51085
System X 52241
Tai Tsun Co. Ltd. 12819
Taizhou Huangyan Carbo Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 12644
Taizhou Huangyan Maorong Plastic Mould Co. Ltd. 53087
TCJC USA Inc. 13072
Teckwrap 51205
Texas Microfiber Inc. 12765
Thermalblade LLC 51177
3D Products/Hi-Tech Industries 50149
3M 50059
Tianmei Auto Seat Cover Co. Ltd. 53262
Tiger Frontier International Inc. 12470
Tonyin Car Care 12627
Top Design Commercial Inc. 11455
TOPS GmbH 11251
Tornador Tools 51073
TouchUp RX Paint Chip Repair Systems 51279
ToughGuard High Performance Coatings LLC 12462
Trim Illusion Inc. 51191
TWN Industries 52084
ULTRAFIT 13027
Umbrella TPU 12959
UPPF 52229
USHIELD 12453
Veleo International Inc. 12375
VONIXX Car Care Products 12331
Vortex Sprayliners 54057
Vyper Industrial 53263
WABAM 12631
WD-40 Brand 50091
WELLvisors 52168
Wenzhou Anke Auto Accessories Co. Ltd. 12873
Wenzhou Hongyuan Auto Parts Technology Co. Ltd. 12363
Wenzhou Jelin Auto accessories Co. Ltd. 12341
Wenzhou XunYuan Auto Parts Co. Ltd. 12446
Wet Okole Hawaii 54095
Whirlwind Tools Co. Ltd. 52270
Window Film Magazine & PPFMag 52058
Wintech Window Films 50073
Wipe New/Rust-Oleum 50223
WrapCut 54088
WrapGlove/Wastegate 51199
XPEL Inc. 52065
ZEALIO 53088
Zhejiang Burley Tools Co. Ltd. 13161
Zhejiang So-Fine Self-Adhesive Products Co. Ltd. 12139
Zhongshan Aokai Auto Parts Manufacturing Co. Ltd. 52087
