What is ADAS in Dash Cams?

The Front Vehicle Departure Warning signals that the vehicle in front of you has started to move when you are at a full stop, helping you stick to the flow of traffic.

Lane Departure Warning monitors your vehicle's position within the lane, providing warnings if the driver unintentionally drifts out of the lane without using the turn signal. This is a crucial feature for preventing accidents caused by distracted or drowsy driving.

Many Lane Departure Warning systems have speed minimums, so they only engage at higher speeds.

Meanwhile, the Front Collision Warning System alerts the driver when the distance between them and the vehicle in front is too close.

For Thinkware dash cams, there are 4 different visual FCWS notifications: 2 low-speed FCWS and 2 high-speed FCWS notifications. The low speed or ‘Urban Forward Collision Warning System’ (uFCWS) is triggered when the vehicle is travelling at 30 kmh (19 mph) or lower, while the regular FCWS is triggered when the vehicle is travelling above 30 kmh (19 mph).

Present in advanced dual-channel dash cams like the Thinkware U3000, the radar-based Rear Collision Warning system acts as a second set of eyes in the back and can assist in preventing rear-end incidents. If a car comes from behind and the system determines that an accident is likely, it helps notify the driver of the approaching vehicle.

Thinkware dash cams like the Thinkware F70 Pro are also equipped with safety camera alert systems. These systems use GPS data and a comprehensive database of camera locations to provide real-time warnings to drivers as they approach intersections with red light cameras and other traffic enforcement cameras. This is highly recommended for drivers who typically go to unfamiliar places for their day to day operations, such as fleets.

Some ADAS systems, such as FineVu, can also provide further warnings, such as Fatigue alerts. When a person has been driving for an extended period of time, the dash cam tells them the number of hours they have driven and urges them to take a short rest. For example, FineVu dash cams will say "You've been driving for __ hours. Please take a short break."

Not all dash cams have ADAS, and those with one still require specific features to activate this system. Some ADAS features, particularly those related to speed and location, rely on GPS data, so you have to make sure that your dash cam has a GPS module. The Thinkware U3000, U1000, and Q1000 have ADAS built-in, while older models like the F200 Pro require a separate GPS antenna. 

Of course, you have to make sure that the ADAS setting on your dash cam is on. These settings often include options to adjust sensitivity, warning thresholds, and specific features you may want to enable or disable. You can adjust them through your dash cam’s dedicated mobile app. 

Note that the above systems work best in light and clear environments, depending heavily on road conditions. Moreover, some ADAS features may necessitate calibration of your vehicle’s body to ensure proper operation. When we say calibration operations, we mean altering camera angles or setting the proper alignment for lane departure alerts, based on the dashcam manufacturer's recommendations. There is also a calibrate button in the settings of the camera for it to calibrate to your specific vehicle’s body.