Mahle expands ADAS checks with radar testing

Mahle and Rohde & Schwarz have developed a new application for testing sensors in modern advanced driver assistance systems. The platform is designed to help workshops, repair businesses, vehicle manufacturers and inspection organisations check radar and camera sensors more reliably after repairs.

The system combines Mahle’s TechPRO Digital ADAS 2.0 Extra calibration platform with the R&S RadEsT radar tester from Rohde & Schwarz. Mahle’s system is built for digital ADAS calibration, while RadEsT is designed for automotive radar target simulation and radar sensor verification.

What problem does the system solve?

ADAS sensors can be affected by accident repairs, bodywork or component replacement. If a radar or camera sensor is misaligned, the vehicle’s assistance functions may no longer operate as intended.

Until now, standardised workshop-level checks for radar sensors have been limited. Mahle and Rohde & Schwarz want to close that gap by combining calibration with measurement-based radar testing.

The result is not just a calibration workflow, but a documented sensor check. That matters for repair quality, liability, insurance assessments and future inspection procedures.

How does the radar test work?

The Mahle system supports vehicle positioning with integrated ultrasonic sensors, automatic vehicle recognition, laser-based distance measurement and motorised target adjustment. The Extra version is also designed for taller vehicles and can project larger vertical targets.

Rohde & Schwarz adds radar-specific testing through RadEsT. The device supports radar target simulation and can verify signal level, occupied bandwidth and other radar sensor characteristics. This allows technicians to check whether a radar sensor is correctly aligned and operating within specification.

Why does documentation matter?

The platform is designed to produce standardised and traceable test results. That gives workshops a clearer way to prove that an ADAS system has been checked after repair.

This could become increasingly important as safety functions depend more heavily on radar and camera inputs. A documented test result may also support insurers, inspection bodies and regulators when evaluating repair quality.

Where could the platform be used?

The first target group is the repair market. Workshops and bodyshops need reliable tools to check ADAS sensors after accident repairs, windscreen replacement or work on body panels.

The system could also be relevant for vehicle manufacturers, technical inspection organisations, insurers and public authorities. Mahle and Rohde & Schwarz also see potential for future static ADAS sensor checks as part of roadworthiness inspections.

Why is this relevant for future vehicles?

ADAS functions are becoming more complex, and radar sensors are central to many safety and comfort features. As these systems spread across more vehicle segments, workshops need test methods that are repeatable, measurable and easier to document.

The Mahle and Rohde & Schwarz platform reflects that shift. ADAS calibration is moving from a specialist task towards a standard workshop process with stronger measurement, traceability and quality control.