System for diagnosing the wheel alignment of a vehicle includes a measuring device configured to measure a characteristic parameter of the wheel alignment, wherein the measuring device comprises a wireless communication device to remotely transmit a signal related to the characteristic parameter. The system further comprises a portable remote device, distinct and separate from the measuring device, having a wireless communication device to remotely receive the signal related to the measured characteristic parameter, and a control unit adapted to receive the related signal from the wireless communication device and to carry out a step of processing the signal to derive a value of the characteristic parameter. The portable remote device further has a screen to display a characteristic information representative of the value of the characteristic parameter, and a battery connected to the wireless communication device, to the control unit and to the screen to allow their respective operation.

A heavy-duty vehicle measurement system utilizing displacement sensor modules disposed in housings on opposite sides of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire a set of displacement measurements associated with a moving heavy-duty vehicle. Displacement data along one or more measurement axes is acquired independently by each of the displacement sensor module to measure corresponding distances between the sensor module and points on a surface of the passing heavy-duty. A processing system is configured to receive and evaluate the set of displacement measurements, together with known parameters of the measurement system, to identify heavy-duty vehicle features, such as configuration, body panels, wheel assemblies, and tire surfaces, and to calculate heavy-duty vehicle parameters such as velocity, wheel rim or tire dimensions, axle relative orientations (scrub angles) and wheel assembly spatial orientations.

Embodiments include a method for autonomous camera pod tracking of a vehicle during vehicle alignment. The method can include receiving, at a processor of an autonomous camera pod, at least one of vehicle target image data from a vehicle target camera or calibration target image data from a calibration camera, the vehicle target camera being adapted to acquire images of a target mounted to the vehicle, and the calibration camera being adapted to acquire images of a calibration target mounted to a sister autonomous camera pod. An optimal location of the autonomous camera pod can be calculated based on the received vehicle target image data or calibration target image data. The method can include transmitting, when it is determined to move the autonomous camera pod, a motor command to a motor drive of the autonomous camera pod, thereby causing the autonomous camera pod to move to the optimal location.

A portable vehicle alignment system is provided having two base tower assemblies, each having a pedestal, a columnar tower removably attachable to the top of the pedestal, and a camera pod movable along a length of the tower; and a data processor with a wireless communication device for processing image data from the camera pods. Each camera pod includes a camera for capturing image data of a target mounted on a vehicle, and a communication device for wirelessly communicating with the data processor. One pod has a calibration target and the other pod has a calibration camera for capturing images of the calibration target. The pedestals each have a manually-operated clamp for removably fixedly attaching the tower to the pedestal in one of a plurality of positions such that the orientation of the camera pod to the pedestal is angularly adjustable, allowing horizontal rotation of the camera pod.

Embodiments include a method for autonomous camera pod tracking of a vehicle during vehicle alignment. The method can include receiving, at a processor of an autonomous camera pod, at least one of vehicle target image data from a vehicle target camera or calibration target image data from a calibration camera, the vehicle target camera being adapted to acquire images of a target mounted to the vehicle, and the calibration camera being adapted to acquire images of a calibration target mounted to a sister autonomous camera pod. An optimal location of the autonomous camera pod can be calculated based on the received vehicle target image data or calibration target image data. The method can include transmitting, when it is determined to move the autonomous camera pod, a motor command to a motor drive of the autonomous camera pod, thereby causing the autonomous camera pod to move to the optimal location.

A vehicle measurement station utilizing one or more displacement sensors disposed on each opposite side of an inspection region of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire displacement measurement data along associated measurement axes. At least a portion of the displacement measurement data is associated with the outermost wheel assemblies on an axle of a moving vehicle passing through the inspection region, and utilized to determine one or more vehicle characteristics, such as an axle total toe condition.

A vehicle measurement station utilizing one or more displacement sensors disposed on each opposite side of an inspection region of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire displacement measurement data along associated measurement axes. At least a portion of the displacement measurement data is associated with the outermost wheel assemblies on an axle of a moving vehicle passing through the inspection region, and utilized to determine one or more vehicle characteristics, such as an axle total toe condition.

A vehicle measurement and ADAS inspection and/or calibration system incorporating dual support columns arranged in a front-to-back configuration on a rolling base to achieve a low center of gravity. A vertically adjustable instrumentation and target support lateral crossbeam is mounted to a front column and is linked to a counterweight supported on a rear column by a driven cable and pulley assembly. A storage cabinet is additionally located on the wheeled base, partially enclosing a lower portion of the rear column, and extending forward towards the front column. Brake releases are operatively coupled to associated friction brake pads located below the base. The friction brake pads are biased into engagement with a supporting floor surface to prevent unintended movement of the base, and temporarily disengaged by operation of the associated brake releases.

A vehicle measurement and ADAS inspection and/or calibration system incorporating dual support columns arranged in a front-to-back configuration on a rolling base to achieve a low center of gravity. A vertically adjustable instrumentation and target support lateral crossbeam is mounted to a front column and is linked to a counterweight supported on a rear column by a driven cable and pulley assembly. A storage cabinet is additionally located on the wheeled base, partially enclosing a lower portion of the rear column, and extending forward towards the front column. Brake releases are operatively coupled to associated friction brake pads located below the base. The friction brake pads are biased into engagement with a supporting floor surface to prevent unintended movement of the base, and temporarily disengaged by operation of the associated brake releases.

A device for vehicle measurement, in particular for determining the angular position of at least one wheel of a vehicle, includes at least one measuring device having at least one image recording device configured to record images. The recorded images contain the image of at least one mark which has a fixed geometric relationship to a wheel of the vehicle. The device for vehicle measurement further includes at least one evaluation unit configured to evaluate the images recorded by the at least one measuring device. The evaluation unit is further configured to evaluate the intensity of illumination of a background area surrounding the respective mark in addition to imaging the at least one mark.