The automotive industry is changing rapidly. A decade ago, not many people were serious about electric or self-driving cars. Today we all know that these are not only possible but have gradually become affordable as well. The automotive industry has always embraced the latest technology and made it accessible to all. Augmented reality or AR in Automotive industry delivers on in many areas from design, production, marketing, customer service, etc. The technology advancements in smartphones and tablets have made this more affordable and led to greater adoption and usage by the general public.
AR is a key technology that is driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0 as it’s popularly known. AR overlays useful and relevant contextual information on your handheld device or wearable that enhances the user experience. Anyone who has played Pokémon Go knows the fun and also the capabilities that AR can bring about. This technology has found various applications in the automotive industry that is quite useful for car manufacturers. Augmented Reality in automobiles is also immensely useful for drivers as it provides a heads-up-display (HUD) and gives relevant information within the driver’s field of vision. Therefore integrating augmented reality in vehicles enriches the overall driving experience and assists drivers with navigation and troubleshooting help whenever required. In the event, a car breaks down along a long stretch without any help nearby, augmented reality car repair applications provide step-by-step guidance and also remote assistance from an expert to get the user back on the road. This is possible with just a smartphone and the extensive reach of cellular networks.
Enhancing Manufacturing Quality with AR Technology
The applications of augmented reality in car manufacturing begins from the design stage itself. An effectively designed AR solution helps designers collaborate on the early design even before a prototype is made. BMW is using AR to evaluate concept variants and integrate assembly of the various components before finalizing the prototype. What is more interesting is that these efforts can be shared with experts in real-time across the globe for their input and approval. This technology is so amazing and it saves an enormous amount of time and money. It shortens the development duration helping bring newer models that match customer preference much earlier to the market.
The car assembly line is a beautiful example of Industry 4.0 applications. The automotive industry was one of the early adopters of robots in manufacturing. AR technology is a great asset to help technicians and engineers in the assembly process and thereby greatly enhancing the manufacturing quality and delivering on customer satisfaction. It helps avoid errors and provides immediate alerts before something is done incorrectly. It also provides guidance and training to new employees, enhancing their competencies and making the better contributors. AR boosts productivity, employee morale, and most importantly the bottom line.
It is truly amazing to learn what AR can deliver to make personal and industrial activities more convenient. It enables people to focus on more strategic and value-added endeavours. An expert with both technology and domain experience is required to provide meaningful and sustainable solutions for your pain points. We at Fusion VR can help you navigate the wonderful technologies of Industry 4.0 and develop appropriate use cases to address specific challenges and pain points.
