ADAS 101: The Latest Gimmick, Or The Real Deal?

In a world of ever-increasing complexity, we take a look at the automotive industry's latest buzzword, which seems to be taking over one vehicle at a time

- Niraj Kakade

The evolution of passenger safety in cars has come a long way since the turn of the century. From seatbelts making their debut in 1959 with Volvo's three-point rendition to ABS (Anti-lock braking systems is a technology derived from aircrafts) making its debut in cars in 1966, the incremental updates seem to have redefined the way we look at safety in cars. With airbags coming into the picture from 1973, and passive safety features like tyre pressure monitoring system coming out in 1986, each decade has had something new and meaningful to offer.

At the forefront of safety innovation, now stands a new technology called ADAS, which promises to not only make driving easier and safer but may also eliminate it in the near future. But is it just another gimmick for influencers to make viral reels about or is it as incremental as the invention of airbags and seat belts? Let's take a closer look.

WHAT IS IT?

ADAS stands for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. At its core, it uses a combination of safety devices to mitigate and eventually, eliminate human error. Unlike most safety features, the focus here is on preventing a collision, by either blaring warning signs or taking control of the vehicle completely.

HOW DOES IT WORK?