Calibrating driver assistance systems should be standard practice at any modern auto shop today. Hendrik Beecken stands in his workshop in Winsen/Luhe in front of a device that, at first glance, looks like an oversized TV on wheels. It is the Digital ADAS 2.0 from MAHLE. “Everyone is talking about digitalization—here in the workshop, we are consistently putting it into practice,” says Beecken with enthusiasm in his voice.
For a long time, a system with physical targets was the standard for Beecken and his workshop team—a robust and market-proven system with which he had worked reliably for many years. But for Beecken, it was now time to take the next step: “The fully digital solution is simply the logical next step for our work.”
The key factor behind the switch was the desire for greater flexibility: “Automakers are constantly developing new bumper designs—and with today’s wide variety of models, that’s a pace that’s hard for an independent shop to keep up with,” explains the shop owner. Those who work with multiple brands otherwise face a logistical challenge: Either you invest in a warehouse full of physical targets for the most common models. If an exotic model does come in, you have to outsource the work or spend time borrowing the right target.
“That always means advance planning and waiting for delivery. If the timing isn’t exactly right, the entire process in the shop grinds to a halt,” says Beecken. With the digital solution, he wanted to streamline calibration processes. Time is the most valuable commodity in the shop, and the digital display of the targets completely eliminates setup time. The customer gets their car back faster, and the shop’s throughput remains consistently high.
Because: With the Mahle system, the display is the target. At the push of a button, the device generates the required target digitally on a 65-inch monitor. Mahle uses an anti-glare Samsung display here, which, according to Beecken, works even under difficult lighting conditions in the workshop.
At the heart of the Techpro Digital ADAS 2.0 is its patented Keystone technology. Whereas conventional systems typically require the frame with the physical panel to be aligned at a right angle to the vehicle’s axis—a time-consuming process that demands millimeter precision—here the software handles the fine-tuning. The system detects the vehicle’s position and then adjusts the perspective of the digital target on the monitor so that it appears perfectly aligned with the car’s sensors. “This gives us tremendous reliability and flexibility in our daily workshop routine,” explains Beecken.
A positive side effect is the display’s multifunctionality. Since the Samsung monitor has multiple HDMI inputs, Beecken uses it as a central output unit for two systems. “I simply connected the computer for my John Bean wheel alignment system to the second HDMI port,” he explains. By switching the signal source, he can now operate both systems on the same screen. “I no longer need to have a second monitor stand in the room. That saves space, and I always have a clear view of the data during both measurement processes.” An advantage that, according to Beecken, is far too rarely highlighted in the brochures.
Beecken emphasizes that calibration—regardless of the device used—requires a great deal of thought. With aids such as built-in videos and many helpful explanatory texts, the Mahle system supports users in this process—though at times it can also be particularly challenging. The problem lies with the translation, which occasionally causes confusion even at Beecken’s company. “Instead of ‘contour lighting,’ for example, it says ‘puddle lighting.’ Or the instruction simply reads: ‘Turn on the panel.’ You have to know that this refers to the car’s display. That’s when you find yourself scratching your head for a moment.” The Security Gateway also occasionally causes minor delays in day-to-day work. With brand-new models—such as a 2024 Nissan—the Mahle tester sometimes reaches his limits when there are issues activating the control units. But Beecken and his assistant Jan know how to work around it: If the Mahle software won’t load into the control unit, he simply uses the Bosch tester next to it for the actual calibration, while the Mahle device handles the visual target display. “The main thing is that it’s done. In the end, the method doesn’t matter, as long as the target is properly aligned.”
Despite the minor hurdles, the time savings for Beecken are enormous. “If everything goes smoothly, a simple calibration takes just ten minutes. With an analog setup, you’d definitely need closer to 20 minutes—if only because of the panel switching,” says Beecken. At Renault, for example, three panels at different heights often have to be combined. “There are so many potential sources of error there. None of that applies here.” The shop can earn good money quickly, especially when dealing with insurance claims. The business model also pays off for Beecken through partnerships. Since he handles calibrations for a nearby paint and body shop, he has at least three jobs a week. “I can only recommend this to everyone: Find partners nearby, make them a fair offer, and calibrate those things,” says Beecken.
Although Beecken has been using the system since 2021, it probably hasn’t fully paid for itself financially yet—but for him, it’s not just about the bottom line anyway. “For us, an investment like this also pays off in terms of independence and the expertise within our own team,” says Beecken, for whom the ADAS device is not just a tool, but also a statement. “We don’t want people having to go to a dealership for every little thing. I want to keep that expertise in-house—including for training my apprentices. How else are you going to show them what modern car service looks like?”
Visual guidance during the work process: Animations and videos on the monitor illustrate the next step. This ensures safety even during less frequent calibrations.
Digital organization in the workshop: By eliminating the need for bulky target charts, the diagnostic corner always looks tidy. The 65-inch monitor replaces dozens of analog targets and makes the system ready for immediate use.
Steps that must be precise: Mounting the wheel sensors is one of the few manual steps in the digital process.
Precision in virtual space: The Mahle tester precisely visualizes the vehicle’s position as well as the distance between the wheel sensors and the digital measuring wall.
Fine-tuning the radar mirror: Hendrik Beecken follows the digital instructions to position the mirror perfectly for the subsequent calibration.