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5:55 PM on Thursday, October 30
By John Voulgarakis | Guessing Headlights
A report from British advisory group KPMG reveals a bullish ADAS calibration market — an industry shifting from a specialized service to a global prerequisite. The 2025 white paper, "From Niche to Necessity: The Rise of ADAS Calibration in the U.S," lays out expectations for this fast-developing trade. It is good news for ADAS calibration experts everywhere. Thereportpredicts a 13% annual growth rate in merger and acquisition activity. Such news signals a clear sign that investors view this once-niche utility as a core part of the automotive future. Calibration Services Are a Sound InvestmentThe review describes how the worldwide implementation of ADAS and a "growing complexity of calibration processes" is fueling a healthy investment opportunity. Moreover, it heralds an approaching era of global vehicle safety. Put simply,ADAS calibrationwill be in higher demand than ever, quite possiblyforever.Of course, not every vehicle we encounter on the road has ADAS, though most new cars come with it as standard. A 2025 study by MITRE and the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic ( PARTS ) provides a rough estimate of how many. The report, based on shared data from 11 major car manufacturers, found that 80% of new American-made cars now come with some form of ADAS.How ADAS Calibration Needs Are GrowingMoreover, as the developing world expands its middle class, implementation will only increase, opening up enormous opportunities for those ahead of the curve. Indeed, dozens of countries have made legally mandated ADAS requirements. Industry research platformTrackoBitdetails how ADAS legislation is evolving worldwide. Its "Global ADAS Regulations in 2025: A Country-Wise Overview" lists the following countries making legislative headway:- South Africa is promoting ADAS and ADAS calibration, according to the South African industry watchdogSika.
- Brazil has mandated electronic stability control (ESC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB).
- China has banned smart or autonomous driving due to safety concerns, which will put greater emphasis on ADAS and calibration.
- India will make ADAS features mandatory from 2026. Features like AEB, lane departure warning (LDWS), and driver drowsiness and attention warning systems (DDAWS) will be in all new models.
- Mexico is taking steps to improve ADAS regulations to enhance safety and reduce congestion in its larger urban areas.
A Story Long in the MakingThese policy moves illustrate a global consensus: ADAS isn't optional anymore — it's essential. However, ADAS isn't as new as one might think: in the United States, it has roots dating back to the post-war era. While we see ADAS as a modern phenomenon, the first patent filed on U.S. soil was in 1948, according to a post onElectronic Specifier. An engineer named Nathaniel Korman filed a radar-based speed-control patent designed to assist traffic flow. However, the evolution of ADAS is punctuated by the arrival of different features, coming years apart. The 1958 Chrysler Imperial gave us the first-ever cruise control (named "Auto-Pilot" by its manufacturers). The Adas Timeline Moves OnA decade or so later, Chrysler struck safety gold again with the first anti-locking "Sure Brake" system. This moment laid the foundation for what would become universal ABS, another integral part of the ADAS family. When the 1995 Cadillac Seville STS upped the ante with its "StabiliTrak" stability control, the ADAS soul was born. Its 2000 DHS and DTS models came with the first radar-based adaptive cruise control (ACC).The New NormalBy 2013, the Ford Fusion had almost democratized ADAS technology. Once reserved for luxury sedans, features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring (BSM), and lane departure warning (LDW) became available to the average driver. At that moment, one could argue that ADAS stopped being a high-end option and started becoming a standard expectation. A Cars profile from that year shows that Titanium models both came with "an optional backup camera." However, the spec page doesn't mention the standard AEB, parking sensors, blind-spot alert, and lane departure warning. Fast forward three decades, and ADAS is now a household name, no longer seen as a luxury, and presenting new technical calibration needs every year. The Implications for ADAS-Equipped Car OwnersFor today’s car buyers, traditional specs like horsepower and torque are increasingly taking a back seat to digital safety features and driver-assistance technology. Most shoppers now expect their new vehicles to include Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) — features once reserved for luxury brands that are now standard across nearly every price point.
Standard ADAS features requiring calibration include: Cameras, long-range radar, lidar (laser-based 3D detection), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), parking assist sensors, front and rear cameras, and driver attention monitors.
Increasingly, buyers are choosing cars equipped with these systems, yet many overlook what happens when something goes wrong. After even a minor fender bender, windshield replacement, or suspension repair, these sensors can shift out of position. When that happens, ADAS features may no longer function as intended until the vehicle is recalibrated correctly.
Unfortunately, calibration is one of the most overlooked steps in post-repair maintenance. Drivers often assume that if no warning lights appear, everything is fine. In reality, a camera or radar that is just a few millimeters out of alignment can compromise the effectiveness of safety systems like AEB or lane-keeping assist.
As ADAS becomes standard equipment, understanding and maintaining proper calibration is not optional; it’s essential. Calibration ensures every radar, camera, and lidar sensor performs exactly as the manufacturer intended, keeping both the vehicle and its occupants safe.
Why Calibration Has Become So CrucialWith more cars on the road, there will be more accidents. Ironically, more ADAS-equipped vehicles should, in theory, lead to fewer accidents. In any case, one's ADAS calibration appointment need not overwhelm the customer. It is definitely worth doing one's ADAS homework if you own a new vehicle, not least finding out where your nearest specialist operates. The good news is thatADAS calibration servicesare emerging every week as this new renaissance in road safety continues. As our cars are evolving into computers on wheels, calibration will become the comforting handshake between human trust and machine precision. About the author: John Voulgarakis is the co-founder of Lighting Auto Service and a contributor to Guessing Headlights, covering automotive technology and industry trends.
