What is ADAS?
19 June 2025
Driven by a desire for efficiency and safety, more cars on sale today feature advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). But what does this term mean? Autovista24 special content editor Phil Curry explores the technology.
When it comes to today’s automotive market, safety and efficiency are paramount. Vehicle manufacturers are incorporating a range of systems designed to make driving easier, more comfortable, and safer. These systems come under the umbrella term, ADAS.
Some of these systems are designed to improve the driving experience. Others have been included due to regulations, such as the EU’s General Safety Regulation. There is also an increasing demand from drivers who want technology to help them on their everyday journeys.
ADAS is rapidly becoming widespread in the automotive market. According to ADAS developer Valeo, this technology will feature in 90% of all vehicles sold worldwide by 2030.
There are many systems that help to keep drivers and other road users safe. These can be split roughly into three areas: safety, parking, and driving.
ADAS keeps you safe
Systems that work within the safety category help to improve a driver’s ability to react to hazards on the road. They also work to keep other road users and pedestrians safe.
This is achieved through advanced detection sensors and early warnings. These combine to alert drivers, either through lights or audible warnings, indicating that action needs to be taken.
For example, intelligent speed assistance detects a road’s speed limit. Should a vehicle go too fast, an alert will sound, indicating the driver should reduce the speed. Driver drowsiness detection utilises a sensor behind the steering wheel to scan a driver’s eyeline. An alert sounds should this deviate away from the road. If this continues, the vehicle can suggest pulling over for a rest.
Safety systems can also take control in extreme circumstances. Anti-lock braking will reduce pressure on wheels, avoiding skidding. Meanwhile, collision avoidance systems will automatically apply the brakes, potentially preventing a collision.
Parking developments
Parking ADAS provides convenience and safety. Originally, this technology relied on parking sensors fitted into a vehicle bumper. However, modern cars feature an array of cameras around the vehicle, which provide a live feed to the infotainment screen.
Vehicle systems can also stitch these images together to provide a 360-degree birds-eye view of the car. This can help the driver avoid obstacles, as well as pedestrians, cyclists, or anything else in the vehicle’s path.
More autonomous technology also allows vehicles to park themselves, using park assist features. When activated, a car will scan for a space big enough, and then manoeuvre the vehicle into it. Some carmakers offer remote options. This allows parking to be completed while the driver is outside the car, accessing the service via an app.
Driving comfort
ADAS can help a driver feel more comfortable in the car, enabling a more efficient use of the vehicle. Driving ADAS can automate and adapt vehicle usage, with or without driver input.
One of the most well-known systems is adaptive cruise control. This helps control the speed of the vehicle, relative to the car in front. When a certain distance limit is reached, brakes are applied, and the gap is maintained. Other systems, such as lane-change assist, can help the vehicle switch lanes when the indicator is applied.
Sensing ahead
ADAS uses a series of cameras and sensors placed around a vehicle. The most common detection sensors include ultrasonic, radar cameras, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR). These feed information to the systems for processing, allowing the technology to assess the next best action.
Many sensors are located in the front of the vehicle. A camera is often placed behind a rear-view mirror and behind a smooth panel in the grill. Additional cameras can be placed around the vehicle to aid parking, while more units can be placed in bumpers to provide more information.
This makes a car more complex, especially when it comes to repair and maintenance. Should a panel or windscreen need replacing, or a vehicle’s wheel alignment adjusting, a full ADAS calibration is often needed. This is essential to ensure systems function correctly with the right data being gathered.
