Initiative details
VIDAS is a research and an outreach initiative created and promoted by Bosch and FESVIAL (Spanish Foundation for Road Safety). It is a multi-year initiative involving extensive documentary, epidemiological, and social research to investigate the characteristics, functions, public awareness, and regulations surrounding ADAS.
Its mission is to stand out the role that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) play in sustainable mobility and road safety, to highlight the value of new technologies applied to driving, and to promote their usability and accessibility for users.
The name VIDAS is an acronym derived from Seguridad Vial (road safety) and ADAS, which means LIVES in Spanish, reflecting the project’s objective: promoting ADAS to save lives.
Its mission is to stand out the role that Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) play in sustainable mobility and road safety, to highlight the value of new technologies applied to driving, and to promote their usability and accessibility for users.
The name VIDAS is an acronym derived from Seguridad Vial (road safety) and ADAS, which means LIVES in Spanish, reflecting the project’s objective: promoting ADAS to save lives.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Policy makers
Public authorities
Young adults 17-25
Adults
Seniors
Car drivers
Topic
Create awareness
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Organisation details
FESVIAL
Association
Spain
Spain
Contact name
Cristina Catalá
Telephone number
+34 620063994
cristinacatala@fesvial.es
Website link
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
FESVIAL: The Spanish Foundation for Road Safety is a nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to prevent traffic accidents, promote sustainable mobility, provide training in road safety and education, and study accident rates, as well as to research the most effective strategies and technological developments for preventing road risks. One of its priority areas of action is to conduct studies that provide a deeper understanding of key traffic-related issues and also enable rigorous, scientific knowledge of various road safety topics. Among its research and outreach activities, a key focus is raising awareness of technological systems that promote improved road safety and the prevention of traffic accidents.
BOSCH: The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. As a leader in the Internet of Things (IoT), Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Bosch pursues the vision of sustainable, safe, and exciting mobility. The Bosch Group’s strategic goal is to make connected life easier with products and solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) or have been developed or manufactured with its help. Bosch offers everything from individual components and functions to software and comprehensive, customized solutions, all with the aim of equipping vehicles with innovative hardware and software to enhance safety and comfort for all road users.
The joint mission of both organizations is to provide the public with knowledge and information about the features and functions of ADAS technologies in vehicles, as safety systems that help prevent traffic accidents and casualties and improve mobility.
BOSCH: The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. As a leader in the Internet of Things (IoT), Bosch offers innovative solutions for smart homes, Industry 4.0, and connected mobility. Bosch pursues the vision of sustainable, safe, and exciting mobility. The Bosch Group’s strategic goal is to make connected life easier with products and solutions that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) or have been developed or manufactured with its help. Bosch offers everything from individual components and functions to software and comprehensive, customized solutions, all with the aim of equipping vehicles with innovative hardware and software to enhance safety and comfort for all road users.
The joint mission of both organizations is to provide the public with knowledge and information about the features and functions of ADAS technologies in vehicles, as safety systems that help prevent traffic accidents and casualties and improve mobility.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
The project covers 5 different studies.
View the research findings (English) in the Press Releases (PR) added as complementary material.
1. Documentary and legislative study about ADAS and road safety - July 2021. It reviewed the existing scientific evidence about ADAS contribution to road safety and analysed the state of the art regarding standards, regulations, and guidelines related to ADAS implementation in vehicles.
2. Epidemiological study: Analysis of ADAS systems for reducing traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries - July 2021. With focus on the circumstances and/or behaviours that ADAS address and the accidents and casualties resulting from these, this study analysed those that could be prevented or minimized by installing ADAS in vehicles.
3. Sociological study: the Spanish population’s awareness/knowledge of ADAS systems. - July 2022. It identified the knowledge, beliefs, and preconceptions that Spanish drivers have regarding ADAS, to develop measures and initiatives that improve their understanding and use.
4. Study in car authorised dealerships: the role of ADAS systems in vehicle sales - July 2024. It determined the salesperson knowledge of ADAS in different authorised dealerships and the relevance given to ADAS in the sales process.
5. Study in automotive electronics repair shop: the role of ADAS systems in vehicle repair. - September 2025. It identified the beliefs and opinions that repair shops hold regarding ADAS and determined the level of knowledge and training in ADAS repair and its challenges.
These research studies were presented and disseminated through press conferences, press releases, conferences, and updates on the website and social media. Additional outreach initiatives are planned for the near future, including a web platform and outreach conferences.
View the research findings (English) in the Press Releases (PR) added as complementary material.
1. Documentary and legislative study about ADAS and road safety - July 2021. It reviewed the existing scientific evidence about ADAS contribution to road safety and analysed the state of the art regarding standards, regulations, and guidelines related to ADAS implementation in vehicles.
2. Epidemiological study: Analysis of ADAS systems for reducing traffic accidents, fatalities and injuries - July 2021. With focus on the circumstances and/or behaviours that ADAS address and the accidents and casualties resulting from these, this study analysed those that could be prevented or minimized by installing ADAS in vehicles.
3. Sociological study: the Spanish population’s awareness/knowledge of ADAS systems. - July 2022. It identified the knowledge, beliefs, and preconceptions that Spanish drivers have regarding ADAS, to develop measures and initiatives that improve their understanding and use.
4. Study in car authorised dealerships: the role of ADAS systems in vehicle sales - July 2024. It determined the salesperson knowledge of ADAS in different authorised dealerships and the relevance given to ADAS in the sales process.
5. Study in automotive electronics repair shop: the role of ADAS systems in vehicle repair. - September 2025. It identified the beliefs and opinions that repair shops hold regarding ADAS and determined the level of knowledge and training in ADAS repair and its challenges.
These research studies were presented and disseminated through press conferences, press releases, conferences, and updates on the website and social media. Additional outreach initiatives are planned for the near future, including a web platform and outreach conferences.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
One of the VIDAS Project aim is to understand the general public’s perception and knowledge of ADAS, as well as that of specific groups that play a key role in promoting these driver-assistance systems, such as car dealership salespeople and mechanics at auto repair shops. At times, gaining access to these segments of the population proved difficult.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
Each of the studies carried out was presented at a press conference to the national, local and specialist media. A wide social reach has been achieved. Furthermore, the studies and their main conclusions have been disseminated through round-table discussions, conferences, forums, social media and websites, achieving widespread coverage with around 100,000 impressions in Spain.
What has been the effect of the activities?
The activities have filled a significant gap in research by providing an assessment and a comprehensive overview of public perception, knowledge and evaluation of the functions and benefits of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). This research and these initiatives have taken place at a crucial juncture, coinciding with new European regulations that made ADAS mandatory in new production models in 2022 and in all new vehicles by 2024. VIDAS reached a wide audience, raising awareness among both the public and institutions of the importance of ADAS in reducing the number of injuries and fatalities in road traffic accidents, and as technological systems that contribute to improving road safety.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
VIDAS improves road safety because:
- It identifies the important role played by ADAS systems in road safety and the driving situations in which their use would prevent the majority of accidents.
- It analyses how ADAS systems are perceived by various relevant groups, such as drivers, sales teams and repair professionals.
- It provides scientific and documentary evidence to carry out awareness-raising and educational initiatives that encourage their use and integration by society.
- It contributes to the work of the government and the automotive industry by identifying future needs and challenges, enabling them to implement specific measures and create improved safety features.
- It promotes the correct and safe repair of ADAS systems to ensure they function perfectly.
- It promotes forums for the exchange of information between the public, businesses and the government.
The outcome is a more informed and effective use of technology to enhance the accessibility and usability of ADAS for the public and improve mobility, making it safer, more sustainable and more efficient, whilst reducing road accidents.
- It identifies the important role played by ADAS systems in road safety and the driving situations in which their use would prevent the majority of accidents.
- It analyses how ADAS systems are perceived by various relevant groups, such as drivers, sales teams and repair professionals.
- It provides scientific and documentary evidence to carry out awareness-raising and educational initiatives that encourage their use and integration by society.
- It contributes to the work of the government and the automotive industry by identifying future needs and challenges, enabling them to implement specific measures and create improved safety features.
- It promotes the correct and safe repair of ADAS systems to ensure they function perfectly.
- It promotes forums for the exchange of information between the public, businesses and the government.
The outcome is a more informed and effective use of technology to enhance the accessibility and usability of ADAS for the public and improve mobility, making it safer, more sustainable and more efficient, whilst reducing road accidents.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Through press conferences and articles in the national, local and specialist road safety media. Also, through active participation in conferences, congresses, panel discussions, radio programmes, podcasts, etc., and social media activities.
This outreach has been complemented by meetings with stakeholders and government bodies to explain the results of the various studies in person: the Directorate-General for Traffic, the Ministry of Industry, road safety instructors, vehicle manufacturers, etc.
This outreach has been complemented by meetings with stakeholders and government bodies to explain the results of the various studies in person: the Directorate-General for Traffic, the Ministry of Industry, road safety instructors, vehicle manufacturers, etc.
