DIAMOND BAR, CA (04.25.24) – SEMA and the SEMA Garage, committed to advancing the automotive aftermarket industry, showcased their groundbreaking research on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) at the 2024 SAE World Congress event earlier this month. As ADAS technology proliferates in passenger cars and pickup trucks, there is a pressing 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 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, 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 become stricter, the aftermarket industry faces significant challenges in adapting and remaining compliant. To address these challenges, SEMA stays at the forefront of research and testing, particularly in rapidly evolving vehicle technologies such as ADAS and autonomous features. SEMA maintains a proactive approach in maintaining a comprehensive knowledge base of regulations and standards. By staying informed and engaging in open communication with regulatory bodies, SEMA can anticipate potential impacts on the aftermarket well in advance. This allows the organization to develop strategies and solutions to address any regulatory changes effectively. Moreover, collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is essential for ensuring that aftermarket products that are installed do not compromise vehicle performance or compliance with regulations. By working closely with OEMs, SEMA can 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 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 underscores 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 would like to develop the ability to collaborate with regulatory agencies and OEMs on future regulations so that the aftermarket industry is being considered as well.
To bridge the gap in information and address the potential impact of aftermarket suspension products on ADAS features, SEMA Garage initiated a groundbreaking project. This project, focusing on a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 as a baseline, 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.
The findings of this first-of-its-kind research endeavor, recently released in a white paper presented at SAE World Congress, have the potential to revolutionize the understanding of how aftermarket modifications influence ADAS functionality. While the results generally did not indicate significant variance in ADAS performance with the introduction of aftermarket components, some differences were observed under specific conditions, including:
- The 6-inch lift kit alerted lane departure warning, both right and left, much earlier compared to the other hardware configurations tested.
- The 3.5-inch and 6-inch 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-inch lift kit. Both lift kits came around 16 feet (5 m) closer to the target vehicle before the alert was issued. In all cases, however, the system functioned properly; i.e., a collision with the target vehicle did not occur.
- 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.
To learn more about SEMA Garage’s groundbreaking research and its implications for the aftermarket industry, and to access the white paper, please visit www.sae.org.
Key Points
- By 2028, the global market for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is projected to reach approximately $59 billion, an increase of more than $31 billion in only eight years [1]
- Manufacturers and aftermarket equipment installers must ensure ADAS technologies function properly after equipment installation.
- SEMA’s research addresses the dearth of information on the impact of aftermarket modifications on original equipment ADAS, providing a crucial starting point for future studies.
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $51.8 billion specialty-automotive industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. Association resources include market research, legislative advocacy, training and product development support, as well as leading trade shows such as the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Trade Show in Indianapolis, Ind.
For more information, visit www.sema.org, www.semashow.com, www.performanceracing.com.
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