Augmented Reality for automotive maintenance

Augmented Reality for Automotive Maintenance

The automotive industry has always been a hotbed of innovation, constantly pushing boundaries with the latest technological advancements, and one technology that's really making waves in the industry these days is Augmented Reality (AR). In fact, experts predict that AR is going to be a major player in the future of the automotive industry, and we're already seeing its impact in the field of maintenance and repair. By 2025, it's estimated that the global market for automotive Augmented Reality will reach almost $7 billion with a steady growth rate of 17.6%.

The aim of implementing Augmented Reality (AR) in maintenance and repair is to simplify the technicians' tasks by integrating the real and virtual worlds, streamlining workflows, and improving repair precision. Around 20% of vehicle owners aged 18-34 think that an AR app would assist them in performing their own maintenance and repairs. AR-capable devices, such as glasses, are a hands-free alternative for mechanics to navigate the complex environment of an automotive workshop.

How AR is Streamlining Automotive Maintenance?

Optimizing Inspections and Troubleshooting:

AR glasses give technicians the ability to collect data and transfer it for off site inspections in order to remotely examine a vehicle's condition. This method reduces time spent and aids in finding problems that conventional root-based diagnostics could have overlooked. In case the conventional method fails, AR additionally guides technicians through a search and tracing process. This drastically reduces inefficiencies brought on by assumptions for difficult-to-solve root cause failures.

Enabling Proactive Maintenance:

AR gathers and analyzes vehicle data to foretell the timing of a repair. This aids consumers in avoiding pointless repair expenses while yet optimizing the usable life of a component. A component's possibility of failure can be predicted using trend-based analysis by extrapolating run data and component history.

Facilitating Remote Expert Support:

With AR-powered remote expert support, technicians can get advice from experts as they work on a repair. This strategy ensures that expertise is preserved within the firm and considerably improves maintenance efficiency. Remote assistance also speeds up training for field personnel, minimizing downtime in the production process.

Strengthening Internal Communications:

AR-powered teamwork and communication between experts and field personnel increase organizational efficiency and decrease downtime in industrial processes. AR remote assistance enables the workforce to acquire the necessary training, ensuring that they carry out their duties as promptly as possible.

Key Industry Players Embrace AR

Here, we take a closer look at how key industry players are utilizing AR in automotive maintenance.

Hyundai's Virtual Guide app provides car owners of the 2015-16 Sonata models with 3D overlay images and how-to guides for 45 major car features, empowering them to perform routine maintenance on their own.

BMW's Wearable Mechanic goggles use AR technology to assist with maneuverability, field-of-vision alerts, and projections that help with common mechanical issues, giving users valuable insights and assistance for maintenance and repair.

The I-Mechanic AR app offers guided repair for various makes and models, with on-screen demonstrations, making it convenient for easy maintenance and useful for less-experienced professionals.

Volkswagen's Marta app for service departments and spatial AR for vehicle design using projectors and appropriate AR images on physical car models help with performing car maintenance faster and evaluating various design options.

Drive Efficiency and Safety with AR

The automotive industry faces a plethora of challenges, from increasingly stringent emissions regulations to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. However, one of the most significant challenges is related to maintenance activities. Industrial mishaps are frequently brought on by human error, and unexpected downtime and maintenance costs are substantially increased when equipment fails due to poor maintenance. Companies need a highly competent and adept workforce to address these issues. On-the-job training programs are one example of a traditional training strategy, but they can be costly, hazardous, and logistically challenging. These problems may be resolved by AR. By incorporating AR into maintenance tasks, technicians can receive training in a secure and economical way, lowering the possibility of inaccuracy and enhancing the efficacy and reliability of the maintenance process. Technicians can receive real-time support to complete maintenance jobs more quickly and accurately.