Project pACC!

[nibose]

Went for another detailed test drive today morning and here are my observations:

pACC is working exactly as expected

When in route guidance mode, it also picks up road signs from the maps and camera. With TSR, i had the problem where the car detects multiple speed signs (100 for freeway and 70 for exist way), the car will display 70 speed and an overspeed warning. This no longer happens. If I'm on the expressway, The displays 100 and maintains the speed.

If my route includes an exit from freeway, I do see the new speed limit in advance and the car adjusts to the new speed such that by the time I pass the new limit, it matches the same.

School signs: It detects 40kph and once out of the school zone, I see the "end of speed limit" sign and the car resumes to the speed of the road (50/60 etc). Again, it gets this info from the maps.

I've also noticed many a times, the virtual cockpit shows a higher speed limit such as 80 or 100 (especially if I'd just exited from a main road) but the car adjusts to 50/60 automatically, without the camera detecting signs. This should be from the maps.

All curves, bends, roundabouts etc are detected and speed is adjusted accordingly.

If a higher speed sign is detected, the car speeds up from the point of the sign

I have had a couple of instances where the car mistook some random sign as a speed limit and started speeding/slowing, but corrected ASAP, from the maps info.

I guess fusion mode is only relevant to Dynamic Sign Assist feature but not for pACC

Looks cool so far!

How I wish it could detect and process traffic lights as well!

[dArK5HaD0w]

That's brilliant to hear u got it working!!
U persisted with it.
Seems to b a significant improvement over the standard ACC.

Maybe u can write up a how-to upgrade guide, so others can follow.

[saint70]

Or tell us how much would cost to install it on B8 passiwith ACC [emoji4]

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

[nibose]

cHere are the pre-requisites:

- Compatible front camera with compatible firmware in the windshield
- Compatible Radar in front (you will most probably have to swap your existing radar)
- Navigation Mib2
- VAS5054 car diagnostic interface
- A laptop that connects to the car via the VAS5054 interface with Flexihub and TeamViewer / AnyDesk (connected to a power source)
- The VW expert, who will help with the component protection removal, coding/adaptations, FeC/Swap updates, calibration etc
- Nice to have: ODIS Service and ODIS engineering on the laptop so that the expert can copy and update firmware locally, else internet connectivity issues can disrupt the firmware upgrade, thereby bricking your new radar
- Car batter charger/maintainer: This is mandatory as the firmware upgrade and other processes do take time and these consume battery power and there is a high chance of it running out. I purchased a battery charger from Amazon which has a capacity of 8Amps. The charger should also support the battery type installed in your car.
- When connecting the charger, connect the positive first and then the negative, to the appropriate connection point (NOT to the negative terminal of the battery) - make a note of these first


The VW expert will need to review your full scan, admaps and blackcaps to see if your existing hardware/software is compatible for this upgrade. The expert will also suggest you the correct part number for the radar. In my case, this was 3QF 907 561 D.


You may order the radar from an online seller but be sure to order the authentic & brand new VW radar from a reputed seller.


Please note this activity takes almost a full day.


On the day of the upgrade:


Ensure the battery charger is connected and charging/maintaining the car battery
Connect the VAS5054 interface to the car and the USB side to the laptop which is ready and powered by an AC adaptor
Assuming the front radar is behind the VW badge, remove the front grill as shown, by removing the 4 screws on top and gently pull it out from the bottom. Care should be taken not to damage the plastic clips
The front radar will be visible and accessible
Ensure the radar is cool enough, the car should have had its ignition off for at least 30 mins prior as the radar module can be very warm and you may end up burning your fingers
Loosen the radar by gently pushing the top holding clip and the radar should tilt forward
Pull out the radar from the bottom holding pins
Disconnect the connector
Install the new radar in the reverse order
Care should be taken only to use the required force, else the alignment can drastically change or the mounting bracket breaks
Replace the grill
Switch ON the ignition; you should see the Christmas lights
The VW expert then takes care of the rest


Radar Calibration:


There are two types of calibrations: Static and Dynamic. Static calibration is described below while dynamic is performed as the car is driven.
The car needs to be aligned as shown in the links below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLFvT-fNLKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPl_g-2x-Ls

Though my calibration reflector appears basic, I had made it as per VAS 6430
Calibration will be run by the VW expert using ODIS. If all goes well, you should see the calibration successful message.
This is where we need to be really careful when swapping the radar so as not to upset the mounting bracket.
I had checked the calibration parameters from the previous radar (from the backup) and after calibration. In my case it was almost identical except a 003 deg variance for the vertical.

If the ODIS radar calibration fails, you have to get it done through the local ADAS calibration workshops.

The next step will be finalising the coding, adaptations and clearing the fault codes.
You should see the pACC options on the MIB.

Take the car for a test drive to ensure everything is working as expected.

I also had pedestrian detection & monitoring enabled during the upgrade, which is only supported on the newer radar.



I do not have a go pro to make a video of the cockpit while I'm driving; however for those of you who live in Perth, I am willing to give a demo

Please PM me for the details of the VW expert. The radar cost me $300 (including shipping). There will be an additional cost for the VW expert and any other essentials you may have to buy such as the chargers etc.

Depending on your car, you may have to perform additional upgrades (hardware/software) for the front camera, MIB etc.

I guess I should have the first VW Passat in Australia capable of this feature

[nibose]

The YouTube links I'd provided above shows the detailed ADAS calibration. If you've removed and swapped the radar carefully, the alignment process should only involve the ODIS activity.

Do not adjust the bracket screws as shown in the videos - this needs to be done only by a professional and is only required if the radar is grossly out of alignment, probably because you were careless during the radar swap.

I had followed the videos to align my car and made the reflector as per VAS6430.

[saint70]

Thanks for you explanation. This is very nicely done. I wish I was in Perth...
Good luck with future projects as well. [emoji4]

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

[nibose]

Thanks for you explanation. This is very nicely done. I wish I was in Perth...
Good luck with future projects as well. [emoji4]

Sent from my SM-G986B using Tapatalk

Thanks, but it does not stop you from such projects either.

I can share the details of the VW expert and you can discuss with the person on your upgrade.

This reminds me of how we used to work with PCs (Personal Computers) when they were first introduced. We used to have experts for even the smallest of the issues because we knew very little.

Once we understand how the car works, everything else will be easier.

[CosminR]

Hello!
Think you can share some more details with us? What acc sensor did you get? Hardware, software version, firmeare suffix, before and after? anything about the parametrization?

And the camera? What hardware do you have and what firmware version did you flashed it with?

[CosminR]

Hello again here! I installed the camera myself and I am considering to buy the new radar. Think you can whare some more info like the long coding/adaptations, and more importantly, the current activated swap codes.