ADAS research at SAE World Congress

SEMA and the SEMA Garage showcased their research on ADAS at the 2024 SAE World Congress event in early April. There is an increasing need to understand how aftermarket modifications may affect the functionality of these systems. Mike Muller and Luis Morales of SEMA joined Jennifer Bastiaan of Kettering University to share the results of testing performed by the SEMA Garage in Detroit.

"In a rapidly evolving automotive landscape, it's essential for us to stay ahead of the curve and understand the implications of aftermarket modifications on ADAS functionality," said Mike Mohacsi, vice president of SEMA Garage and OEM Relations. "Our research aims to provide valuable insights that will empower manufacturers, installers, and drivers to make informed decisions while ensuring optimal safety and performance."

As vehicles become more complex and regulations change, the aftermarket industry faces challenges in adapting and remaining compliant. SEMA continues to research and test as a way to proactively maintain knowledge of regulations and standards. SEMA works closely with OEMs, allowing them to establish best practices and guidelines that help aftermarket manufacturers produce high-quality, compatible products.

In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated a notice of the proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the adoption of a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) mandating automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems on light vehicles. The announcement emphasizes the significance of regulatory changes. SEMA recognizes the importance of understanding the implications of these proposed standards and engaging in discussions and research to address potential impacts. SEMA hopes to develop a collaboration with regulatory agencies and OEMs for future regulations so that the aftermarket industry is being considered as well.

SEMA Garage started a project to bridge the gap in information and address the potential impact of aftermarket suspension products on ADAS features. The project focused on a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as a baseline and aimed to research and test the effects of various aftermarket modifications on ADAS functionalities such as lane departure warnings, forward collision warnings, blind-spot detection, and rear cross-traffic alerts. By evaluating common aftermarket pickup truck modifications like larger-diameter tires, leveling kits, and lift kits, SEMA aims to provide valuable data to inform both manufacturers and consumers about the compatibility of aftermarket products with ADAS technologies.

According to SEMA, the findings of the project, released in a white paper presented at the SAE World Congress, have the potential to revolutionize the understanding of how aftermarket modifications influence ADAS functionality. While the results did not indicate significant variance in ADAS performance with the introduction of aftermarket components, some differences were observed under specific conditions, including:

The 6" lift kit alerted lane departure warning, both right and left, much earlier compared to the other hardware configurations tested.
The 3.5" and 6" lift kits both showed later forward collision warnings alert distances compared to the other hardware configurations tested, resulting in higher peak deceleration levels in the 6" lift kit. Both lift kits came around 16' closer to the target vehicle before the alert was issued. In all cases, however, the system functioned properly.
All aftermarket configurations came closer to the target vehicle in the second braking phase of the traffic jam assist test compared to the baseline hardware configuration.

In their research, SEMA and SEMA Garage pointed out a few key points:

By 2028, the global market for ADAS is projected to reach approximately $59 billion, an increase of more than $31 billion in eight years.
Manufacturers and aftermarket equipment installers must ensure ADAS technologies function properly after equipment installation.
SEMA's research addresses the death of information on the impact of aftermarket modifications on original equipment ADAS, providing a crucial starting point for future studies.