The car industry is making major changes that will have a significant impact on independent repair shops and technicians. Misunderstanding new technology leads to expensive parts replacements and customer comebacks that hurt a shop’s credibility.
Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) use sensors to gather information about a vehicle’s surroundings and either warn a driver or take action automatically. This tech is also responsible for lowering ownership costs, which is driving generational shifts.
Artificial Intelligence
When it comes to automotive technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising tools. It can be used to help improve safety, performance, and efficiency. It can also be used to help with design, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
Many people think of autonomous cars when they hear the word AI, but there are a lot of other ways it could be used in the industry. For example, it could be used to help with ADAS systems or driver risk assessments. It could even be used to monitor a driver’s eyes to see if they are falling asleep or tired at the wheel.
It’s important to remember that AI is not a solution for every engineering problem. It’s best to use it when it can add value and provide an advantage. For example, it could be used to forecast demand and make supply chain management decisions. This could help reduce inventory costs and prevent unnecessary stock-outs.
Biometrics
Biometrics refers to technologies that capture a human’s unique physical or behavioral characteristics and then use them to identify an individual. These modalities include facial recognition, fingerprint scanning and iris scanning. While many of these are already available in smartphones, they will likely become more widespread in cars as the industry adopts EVs.
However, Moar says it will take some time for these systems to be widely deployed because they require a high level of accuracy and the ability to operate in network dead zones. And they must be integrated into the car in a way that allows drivers to use them hands-free.
For example, some automakers are already enabling vehicles to turn on with fingerprint or facial recognition technology. And Ford is working on a system that can assess a driver’s fatigue by measuring a range of factors, such as heart rate and breathing rates, as well as monitoring eye movements. The system could then recommend a break if necessary.
Internet of Things
IoT has revolutionized the automotive industry by enabling cars to become smarter, safer, and more connected. In addition to making driving more comfortable and efficient, IoT also helps drivers save money by predicting maintenance needs before they occur.
Automakers use IoT in vehicles to monitor their performance, like engine status, vehicle speed, and fuel usage. This information is sent to the cloud for analysis and used to improve performance. For example, BMW is using AI and IoT in its metal pressing factory to differentiate flawless components from those with tiny errors, dust chips, oil residues, and fine cracks.
IoT sensors are used to connect vehicles to a wider network via the internet, allowing for V2V, V2I, and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. Similarly, some cars can serve as Wi-Fi hotspots for passengers, with the option to stream music and call through the car’s speakers. This is especially useful for truck transportation, which can benefit from IoT’s ability to synchronize vehicle data with traffic control systems and provide real-time road conditions.
Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality is a technology that immerses users in an immersive virtual world. VR is being used in various industries including automotive and could be a game changer for the industry.
For example, using VR in vehicle prototyping allows engineers to quickly test full-scale prototypes of vehicles and make changes before the final production model. This saves time and money by reducing the number of physical prototypes that need to be made.
Another use of VR in the automotive industry is for training. Rather than having to bring in employees from outside of the company, they can take part in virtual training sessions. This is especially helpful when training new employees in how to operate heavy machinery such as cars or trucks.
Lastly, VR can be used in car marketing and sales to provide a better customer experience. For example, consumers can visit a virtual showroom to view different cars and avoid biased sales pitches.
