Why does a vehicle camera need calibration?

A forward-facing camera is a sensor that observes the road environment and provides information used by one or more driver-assistance systems.

Depending on the vehicle and system, that information may contribute to functions such as lane assistance, traffic-sign recognition or collision-related driver assistance. Some vehicles combine camera information with radar or other sensors, so the camera may form part of a wider system rather than working alone.

Calibration is used to establish or confirm the camera and relevant system against the references required by the applicable vehicle procedure.

The important question is not simply whether the camera can see. It is whether the system's reference has been established as the vehicle procedure requires and is within the required specification.

A camera communicating with the vehicle or producing information does not by itself confirm its calibration status. Communication and calibration are different technical questions.

Likewise, the absence of an obvious dashboard warning is not proof that calibration is correct or that no calibration is required. The requirement has to be established through the appropriate vehicle-specific process.

Situations in which calibration may need to be considered include camera removal or refitting, replacement of relevant glass, repairs affecting the sensor mounting or nearby structure, geometry-related changes, suspension or ride-height work, and other manufacturer-defined operations.

This list is not universal. These operations do not automatically require calibration on every vehicle; the applicable vehicle procedure determines the requirement.

The camera is installed on a vehicle, so some calibration procedures depend on known relationships between the sensor and the vehicle's geometry or position. Vehicle condition and relevant calibration prerequisites can therefore matter.

Some procedures may require geometry-related prerequisites to be within specification, but the exact requirements depend on the vehicle and procedure. This does not mean every camera calibration requires wheel alignment.

No. Calibration is not simply another word for resetting the camera. Depending on the vehicle and system, resetting, initialisation, coding or programming, diagnostics and calibration may be separate operations.

Which operations are required depends on the vehicle, system and work carried out. The applicable procedure determines what needs to be completed.

Fault codes and warning information can provide useful evidence about a system's condition, but they do not replace checking the applicable procedure to determine whether calibration is required.

A fault does not automatically prove that calibration is the required repair, just as no obvious warning does not confirm that the camera is correctly calibrated.

The applicable vehicle and system procedure determines the required method. Depending on that procedure, calibration may be static, dynamic or involve more than one stage.

The related guide below explains those methods in more detail. The method is not selected by general preference.

Horizon identifies the vehicle and relevant system, establishes why calibration is being considered, checks the applicable procedure and confirms the relevant prerequisites.

Where the required work is within Horizon's capability, the specified calibration method is carried out and the outcome verified and documented as applicable. Static calibration is carried out at Horizon's Cardiff calibration facility. Dynamic calibration may be carried out mobile where the vehicle procedure and conditions allow.