Augmented reality (AR) has evolved quite a bit over the past several years, and it seems to be on its way to becoming an integral part of our everyday lives. So, it’s easy to see how this new technology will revolutionize the future of dealer technicians, and can lead to some significant changes soon. Keep reading to learn more about how you can use AR to empower your tech staff and make them more efficient at their jobs.
Ford and AR
Ford is the frontrunner when it comes to using AR. In the case of issues that a technician can’t solve when working on a Ford Mustang Mach-E in 2022, they call Detroit-based engineers for assistance. Augmented reality (AR) technology has advanced to the point where an AR headset with a small screen and camera allows a technician to see the same information simultaneously for improved communication.
Working of Ford’s AR
Ford is expanding a program called “See What I See”, or SWIS. The idea is really simple: The techie wears a headset that contains a camera and microphone, and that’s sent to Ford’s Technical Assistance Center (TAC) in Dearborn, MI. At the same time, the engineer at TAC can send images and speak to the tech, showing them enhanced images to help track down and solve issues during a diagnosis.
Advantages of AR
One of the largest draws for Ford in both cases is reduced travel costs. Another huge draw is that Ford guarantees that a customer’s vehicle is fixed and back to them quickly—saving them from having to wait, potentially with only their vehicle to transport them to and from work or family gatherings. The quicker the technician completes the repair, the more satisfied the customer, leading to a higher CSI score for the dealership. Similarly, Mercedes-Benz is also looking at using Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 to train and repair dealership technicians.