ADAS Empowered

OEM tools, carrier trust, and the real cost of cutting corners with Darren Sodoski of National Calibrations and Diagnostics

Joel Adcock sits down with Darren Sodoski, co-founder of National Calibrations and Diagnostics and CIO of ProMobile and Scan, to talk about what it actually takes to do ADAS work correctly and build a business around it. Darren grew up in his family's collision shop, nearly went into IT and networking, and found that ADAS and diagnostics were the perfect intersection of both worlds. His perspective is shaped by years of reading OEM engineering documents, performing mobile sublet services, and building carrier relationships through transparency rather than conflict. The conversation covers why a "successful" calibration screen doesn't always mean a safe one, what shops get wrong about setup and execution, and how Darren's team handles the gray area between required and recommended procedures (they perform the work and eat the cost if reimbursement doesn't come through). Darren also walks through the 360 OEM laptop he spent 18 months engineering to consolidate every manufacturer's diagnostic software onto a single device, and explains how short-term licensing makes OEM tools financially accessible for shops that only see certain brands a few times a year. What we discuss: * Why reading OEM service information is the most underused (and most valuable) resource in the industry * How modern vehicles are diagnostic networks on wheels and why technicians need to understand the science behind the sensors * The difference between a calibration that passes and one that's actually safe * Makeshift target setups, gravel parking lots, and why some calibrations may be more dangerous than skipping the procedure entirely * Toyota's retroactive service information changes and how they caught shops off guard * Required vs. recommended: how Darren's service company approaches gray-area calibrations * Building carrier relationships through transparency, documentation, and being a diagnostic resource * How early overbilling in the ADAS space created lasting skepticism from insurers * The 360 OEM laptop: consolidating every manufacturer's software onto one device * Short-term OEM licensing as an affordable alternative to full annual subscriptions * What shops should evaluate before bringing ADAS in-house vs. subletting * Why a hybrid model (in-house for common work, sublet for edge cases) makes sense for most operations * Equipment ROI: most customers pay off their investment within six months * Why diagnostics and ADAS are no longer optional, and shops without a plan will get left behind Darren emphasizes that the industry needs better standards, better training, and a willingness to invest in doing things the right way. Whether a shop sublets to a trusted provider or brings calibrations in-house, the priority has to be safety and proper documentation. The shops that treat ADAS as optional are running out of time. Guest: Darren Sodoski, Co-Founder, National Calibrations and Diagnostics / CIO, ProMobile and Scan Host: Joel Adcock, Revv Resources: Learn more at revvhq.com

What New ADAS Technicians Must Master: A Conversation with Wrenchway's Jay Goninen

Joel Adcock sits down with Jay Goninen, co-founder and president of Wrenchway, to discuss the automotive technician shortage. They frame this discussion in terms of a solvable challenge rather than some abstract problem. And solving it starts with supporting education programs before they close. Jay's company evolved from recruiting to job boards to something more foundational: ASE Connects, a shop membership platform designed to bring industry stakeholders together around schools that need help. The conversation covers why moving technicians from shop to shop doesn't fix the pipeline, why collision and automotive programs are shutting down (including one Jay attended as an apprentice), and what it actually costs to restart a program once it closes. What we discuss: * Why Wrenchway stopped recruiting and pivoted to supporting education infrastructure * ASE Connects: bringing dealers, independents, fleets, and partners together (not competing for the same resources) * The shocking lack of data on how many automotive and collision programs exist in the U.S. * Documenting every school state-by-state to identify which programs need support * Small-town schools with 50 students per class: how to connect those kids to the industry * Work experience, job shadowing, apprenticeships as early exposure strategies * Why overwhelming instructors with fragmented industry outreach can backfire * The Voice of Technician survey and technician pay tool (built with ASE) * ADAS as a microcosm of the trust problem: selling calibrations to consumers who don't understand them * How consumer education, shop professionalism, and transparency rebuild trust * Why acting like a CEO (processes, people, customer education) matters now more than ever * What happens when shops don't invest: long-term loss of community trust and viability * ASE and I-CAR's consumer awareness efforts and why the next five years are critical Jay emphasizes that fixing the technician shortage requires collaboration, not competition. Shops can't keep poaching from each other. Instead, the industry needs to stabilize education programs, connect students to real opportunities, and show consumers why modern repair work (including ADAS) requires investment in both technology and people. Guest: Jay Goninen, Co-Founder & President, Wrenchway Host: Joel Adcock, Revv Resources: Learn more at revvhq.com

Customer Education, Equipment, Calibration Challenges: A Panel Discussion

Joel Adcock hosts a roundtable with three experienced ADAS calibration technicians—Mark Bruno (ADAS Calibrations of Florida), Brandon Miller (Miller Diagnostics, St. Louis), and Michael Frangione (Essential Auto, Ottawa)—to discuss the realities of running calibration businesses, educating shops that still operate on "no lights, no problem," and why buying equipment doesn't automatically make calibrations profitable. All three came to ADAS from different angles: Mark owned a collision shop for 20+ years before selling and opening dedicated calibration centers in 2023. Brandon started with a glass company 10 years ago, worked for Autel and Launch, then went independent three years ago (and co-owns the ADAS Network). Michael grew up in the collision industry (his family runs nine locations in Ottawa) and started Essential Auto to give shops a trusted alternative to dealership-only calibrations. What we discuss: * Shops still resisting ADAS calibrations: "Insurance won't pay for it" and "No lights, no problem" * Why new estimators and managers need re-education when they join existing accounts * The difference between being able to do calibrations versus knowing when they're actually required * OEM position statements: how shops miss critical updates and create liability gaps * Space requirements for static calibrations (vehicles with trailers, alignment racks, environmental conditions) * Equipment sales pitches versus reality: $100,000 investments collecting dust in corners * Why teaching a porter or detailer to run calibrations usually fails * Dedicated space and dedicated personnel requirements for in-house operations * Real failure scenarios: spending six hours on a single calibration * How shops that bought equipment often sell it within a year and return to sublet partners * Consumer awareness: explaining ADAS to customers who don't understand what's on their vehicles * Real-world save stories: Michael's automatic emergency braking stopping for a cyclist he didn't see * The insurance question: why calibrations are required regardless of whether lights are on * Building relationships with sublet providers before buying equipment (don't burn bridges) * ADAS technicians as specialists parallel to collision repair technicians (both are experts in different domains) Mark emphasizes that equipment vendors sell tools and stands, but don't prepare shops for the diagnostic realities of failed calibrations or space constraints. Brandon notes that his biggest push in 2026 is reaching holdout shops that still think lights determine calibration needs. Michael stresses consumer education and liability—shops need to explain why calibrations matter, not just add line items to estimates. The panel agrees: ADAS is here, vehicles are getting more complex, and shops need trusted calibration partners whether they're subletting or building in-house capability. Education remains the biggest barrier—both for shops and consumers. Guests: Mark Bruno, ADAS Calibrations of Florida Brandon Miller, Miller Diagnostics (Co-Owner, ADAS Network) Michael Frangione, Essential Auto, Ottawa Host: Joel Adcock, Revv Resources: Learn more at revvhq.com

From ADAS Awareness Gaps to Safety-First Culture: A Chat with On the Road Garage's Katie Mueller and Adam Newberry

Joel Adcock sits down with Katie Mueller (safety advocate and consultant) and Adam Newberry (ADAS specialist and instructor) from On the Road Garage to discuss what separates shops that get ADAS right from those still guessing. Moreover, you'll hear why investment in people matters more than equipment alone. Katie comes from the National Safety Council and is a fatality crash survivor. She focuses on driver behavior, vehicle safety technology, and helping consumers understand the features protecting them. Adam spent 20 years in automotive repair, including extensive work with Mobile Service Group diagnosing and repairing safety systems before joining On the Road Garage to build ADAS capability from the ground up. The conversation covers practical realities: how shops stay current with weekly OEM position statement changes, why Honda and Subaru now require OEM-specific scan tools (not just OEM-compatible), what happens when calibrations fail, and how proper shop culture creates 99% first-time calibration success rates. 🔧 What we discuss: * Why ADAS is on 90% of vehicles today (not a future problem) * How On the Road Garage maintains culture where every vehicle gets proper ADAS attention * Weekly review process for OEM service information and position statements * Prerequisites for technicians doing ADAS work (electrical systems, alignment, diagnostics) * Real failure scenarios: sensors installed backwards, paint thickness problems, missed prerequisites * Why dedicated calibration space reduces cycle time and improves success rates * Apprenticeship programs training next-generation ADAS technicians * Consumer questions to ask shops: "Is everything included in this estimate?" * How service advisors present ADAS calibrations to retail customers (minimal pushback) * Why sublet liability always traces back to the originating shop * The shift from OEM-compatible tools to OEM-required tools (Honda, Subaru leading) Katie and Adam both emphasize the same advice for shop owners: invest in your people. Training, continuous learning, proper environment, and team buy-in matter more than any single piece of equipment. The conversation also covers why FMVSS 127 (automatic emergency braking mandate by 2029) will accelerate OEM requirements and why shops need dedicated calibration space before that deadline. Whether you're a collision shop owner, technician, estimator, or insurance professional, this episode demonstrates what proper ADAS process looks like in practice—and why culture drives results. Guests: Katie Mueller, On the Road Garage [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemueller-ok] Adam Newberry, On the Road Garage [https://ontheroadgarage.com/] Host: Joel Adcock, Revv Resources: Learn more at revvhq.com [https://www.revvhq.com]

From ADAS Equipment Guesswork to ROI-Driven Investment: A Conversation with Triad Diagnostic Solutions

In this episode of the ADAS Empowered Podcast, host Joel Adcock, Director of Partnerships at Revv ADAS, sits down with Greg Reimuth, President of Triad Diagnostic Solutions, and Will Govan, Inside Sales Manager and ADAS Specialist, for a deep dive into ADAS calibration equipment, shop setup requirements, and the real-world return on investment of bringing calibrations in-house. As ADAS-equipped vehicles continue to dominate the road, repair facilities are facing new challenges around equipment selection, space constraints, training, and OEM compliance. This conversation goes beyond surface-level discussions to break down how shops can confidently choose the right ADAS calibration tools—and avoid costly mistakes. 🔧 Key Topics Covered in This Episode: * How shops evaluate ADAS calibration equipment based on vehicle mix, space, and volume * Differences between static and dynamic calibrations and what equipment is required for each * How much physical space is actually needed to perform most ADAS calibrations * Why “a scan is not a calibration” and how misunderstanding this creates risk and liability * The evolution of ADAS hardware, including automation, self-leveling frames, digital targeting, and tablet upgrades * Real-world examples showing how ADAS equipment can deliver ROI in under a year * The importance of on-site training, ongoing support, and proper setup environments * Common misconceptions about mobile calibrations and outdoor setups Greg and Will also share insight from years of working directly with collision centers, glass shops, and MSOs, explaining how successful shops approach ADAS as a capability—not just a piece of equipment. The discussion highlights why education, workflow planning, and software-driven decision-making are just as critical as the hardware itself. Whether you’re a collision repair professional, glass shop owner, calibration technician, MSO leader, or insurer, this episode delivers practical guidance on how to invest in ADAS calibration equipment with confidence—while improving safety, profitability, and repair accuracy. 👉 Listen now to learn how the right combination of ADAS equipment, training, automation, and process can transform calibration from a bottleneck into a strategic advantage.