SEMA Symposium Unites OEMs, Collision Repairers, and Standards Bodies

Addressing post-repair and modification safety, the second annual SEMA ADAS Symposium connects automakers, collision specialists, and safety researchers to standardize calibration workflows.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers co-hosted the second annual ADAS Symposium, bringing together 63 industry leaders across 47 organizations. Attendees included vehicle OEMs, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), SAE International, the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI), and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) to evaluate ADAS performance, serviceability, and sensor recalibration.

For collision repair center operators, glass replacement networks, and specialty equipment builders, the forum targets operational gaps between original factory safety specifications, aftermarket modifications, and physical repair standards.

“Through the SEMA Garage, we see firsthand the questions manufacturers encounter as they develop products for ADAS-equipped vehicles,” said SEMA Vice President of OEM and Product Development Jim Moore. “The symposium brings those practical experiences into a broader conversation with automakers, researchers, standards experts and repair professionals.”

Workshops centered on real-world sensor validation, repeatable testing methodologies, and federal legislative updates. Discussions highlighted the ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act, a bipartisan U.S. bill directing NHTSA to analyze how vehicle alterations affect sensor alignment and establish baseline recalibration guidelines.

“One of the clearest takeaways was that the job doesn’t end when a vehicle leaves the factory,” noted David Kidd, Ph.D., Vice President of Vehicle Research at the IIHS. “We need to ensure these systems continue to perform as intended throughout a vehicle’s life, even after repairs, modifications and ownership changes.”

Perspectives gathered from the symposium will directly shape technical guidance, communications, and calibration development resources delivered through the SEMA Garage infrastructure.