ADAS - What's required?

[bantar]

@CAR_AutoReports created an article about ADAS, but I can't reply there.  It was a good article.   Thank you.  Starting a new topic to discuss this in more detail since it won't let me respond there.

I've started asking around to see if the Mobile Diagnostics guys are adding ADAS to their mobile services and so far, I've found no one, but also haven't looked very hard either.    At a minimum, we all need to be able to recognize when ADAS is impacted and know whether to proceed with a service or not, if we are unequipped to tackle the next step.

I do have a few questions / observations / :

1. With the complexity of these procedures, does anyone have a feel for how the dealers are pricing / handling ADAS reprograms? 
2. In looking at this as a service offering, assuming one has room, I wonder about the following:

• What prices would the market bear for such services?
• You mention that you are getting paid for documentation.  Sounds like the ADAS services are time and materials charging.   Your car didn't program in the typical 45 minute drive cycle, so you are charged extra.    I think I remember reading about some complex procedures that were in the 10 hour range?   Any comment on typical job sizes?  
• Lastly on charging, I can see people throwing fits on such "frivolity" (anything you don't fully understand must not be important).   "If it's that much, time to get rid of the car!!!!"
• Looks like this could be a single specialty shop offering - B2B only.
• Are there generic tool kits that work with multiple car lines or is it one tool kit per line?
• Any idea of the types of such kits and their costs?  You mentioned $20K toolkit.  
• If access to OE Information is mandatory this may also impact which car lines are selected (as one may not want many subscriptions, even if temporary)
• Can we perform an ADAS impactful repair, but then sublet to the dealer for the ADAS reprogram (or other local shop)?  Is this a good strategy or not? 

As of today, I've seen a number of cars with these systems, but have not performed any services which would impact them.

 

[Alex]

@bantar are you having issues commenting on this article by @CAR_AutoReports or other?

 

You should be able to add a comment below the article:

You can also post in the syndicated topic (same as the article and shares commenting)

 

[bantar]

Well, I'm not having a problem today.  I see a post box there now and I expect that it would work.   I didn't see one previously, but I can't promise that I wasn't blind on that day.  Indeed this was a response to that article and belongs there.

[CAR_AutoReports]

Sorry for the delay, August was a little crazy.  Getting back to normal now.

 

As for mobile calibrations, Autel recently unveiled a mobile calibration frame for windshields.  Really curious as to what cars can be done with it, especially considering the ones that I've run into where "You had to in an area with no outside light.".

With the complexity of these procedures, does anyone have a feel for how the dealers are pricing / handling ADAS reprograms?   - Have not seen dealer prices, but I've heard there are very few techs that can do them at dealers and even fewer dealers with equipment to perform the work.  Lastly, the ones that do... keep the vehicle for much longer than a week in the experiences I've been told about.

• What prices would the market bear for such services? - We are defining the market as we speak.  Prices are according to the cost of equipment plus the years of experience it took us to learn how to program a car in several hours, not several days.
• You mention that you are getting paid for documentation.  Sounds like the ADAS services are time and materials charging.   Your car didn't program in the typical 45 minute drive cycle, so you are charged extra.    I think I remember reading about some complex procedures that were in the 10 hour range?   Any comment on typical job sizes?  We have not run into many problems with extended programming time, we have run into access problem with specific manufacturers.  Which is another problem for the aftermarket and if we're not prepared, it will delay jobs significantly.  I think the days of programming cars that took 10 hours, are behind us for the most part.  But that doesn't mean a headache wont' come rolling in the door.  With new technology, they are all headaches at first.  So track your time and bill appropriately.
• Lastly on charging, I can see people throwing fits on such "frivolity" (anything you don't fully understand must not be important).   "If it's that much, time to get rid of the car!!!!"  This will be the opportunity creator for vehicles to be sold much cheaper in the short term.  Or cause customers to drive vehicles with Christmas Trees on their dashboard.  Anyone who tries to pay for accidents out of pocket, is in for a rude awakening when the accident involves and ADAS enabled vehicle.
• Looks like this could be a single specialty shop offering - B2B only. - Maybe for now.  In ten years, everyone who has a shop, will have to have some variation of the hardware and software.  Or they won't be in business.  This will be the equivalent to having a scan tool in your shop in the next 10 years.  Don't have a scan tool, can't work.  Can't recalibrate a module or vehicle?  Can't work.
• Are there generic tool kits that work with multiple car lines or is it one tool kit per line? - Autel has the first functional unit for sale that does A LOT.
• Any idea of the types of such kits and their costs?  You mentioned $20K toolkit.  I'm over $25,000 already and that doesn't include specialized equipment or programming equipment.
• If access to OE Information is mandatory this may also impact which car lines are selected (as one may not want many subscriptions, even if temporary).  - It's not mandatory, but strongly suggested.
• Can we perform an ADAS impactful repair, but then sublet to the dealer for the ADAS reprogram (or other local shop)?  Is this a good strategy or not? - In my opinion, this is the future of repair.  If you don't learn this in the next 5 years... you're either retiring or the market will show you the door to retirement.