Major OEMs are embracing advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) technology to increase safety ratings and attract customers. As a result, top OEMs either standardize safety systems for all models or provide them as extra options. Consequently, adopting sophisticated driver-assistance system features will drive demand for parts such as cameras, radar, ultrasonic, and LiDAR. There is a rising consumer awareness about car safety ratings propelling the growth of ADAS industry alongside falling component costs because of the widespread use of cameras and radars.
The advanced driver assistance systems market size is expected to reach USD 55 billion at a CAGR of 10% by 2030. By 2020, only 10% of the 1 billion cars worldwide had advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) characteristics. A third of new cars sold today in developed nations like China, Europe, Japan, and the US have ADAS features; however, it will be some time before half of all vehicles on the planet have them.
Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot alert are examples of ADAS capabilities. The features use sensors and cameras to actively maintain a certain distance between a vehicle and the car in front, maintain a vehicle's center of gravity, bring a vehicle to a complete stop in an emergency, detect oncoming traffic or pedestrians, and do other tasks.
In popular new vehicles, including entry-level models, ADAS technologies are increasingly offered as standard equipment or an option. For instance, in the first half of 2021, 63% of new cars sold in the US, 56% of new vehicles sold in Europe, 52% of new cars sold in Japan, and 30% of new vehicles sold in mainland China had the lane-keep assist technology, which when enabled gives steering help to maintain a car in its lane.
What is hindering the growth of ADAS?
Despite the growing demand for intelligent driver assistance systems in the automotive sector, manufacturers are under pressure to modernize and enhance their products to remain competitive. Driver assistance systems is a collective term for several devices, such as autonomous emergency braking system, park assist, and blind-spot detection. These systems are operated by software, radars, sensors, cameras, maps, and other tools. These highly modern systems represent several technical challenges and difficulties since they are battery powered. Constant battery use may cause battery disruptions, and relying on these devices may raise the calculated risk of failure and malfunction.
Developing driver assistance systems that use cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence has attracted significant investment from major firms. These high-end features in automobiles come at a cost that makes them expensive. Additionally, unsafe system management and a greater chance of cyber security problems could put passengers and vehicles in danger. System flaws or deliberate or unintentional errors could endanger user safety and life.
ZF unveiled a 360-degree safety system for commercial cars in January 2022. The 360-degree safety system is a dynamic management system that can identify threats from the front and rear sides and defend the vehicle. The company is now solely focused on the US market because of the enormous demand from commercial fleet owners. Thanks to the next-generation ADAS of autonomous and electric vehicles, which Aptiv PLC unveiled in January 2022, the price of software-driven cars has decreased.
Let's say that by the end of this decade, more than one billion cars will have been sold worldwide. In that situation, automakers, especially their partners and suppliers, have a sizable long-term opportunity in the ADAS technology industry.
