During the recent Automechanika Frankfurt, which took place from September 13-17, Robert Bosch GmbH had a giant and very impressive display, covering a whole range of automotive aftermarket technologies and solutions. One of them that drew interest from CarCare Business, was Augmented Reality (AR) technology.
Augmented Reality works by complementing real images with useful additional information that can easily be accessed at your fingertips.
During the Automechanika Expo, and using the the example of the BEA 750 emissions tester, Bosch was able to demonstrate and enrich the documentation of a workshop tester by multimedia contents in conjunction with the aid of Augmented Reality.
In order to access multimedia product information, for instance, the user simply points their tablet at the cover of the product brochure. The cover is linked to a 3D model of the emissions tester, which can then be displayed on the tablet using Augmented Reality technology.
So-called points of interest regarding the BEA 750 are displayed on a three-dimensional representation of the emissions tester. By simply tapping them, additional information can be accessed.
Additionally, the user can also watch a product video. The multimedia product description eases the operation of the device for mechatronics and allows them to understand the different working steps much faster as well. At the same time, the user is able familiarize themselves with the possibilities provided by the use of Augmented Reality.
Among other things, Augmented Reality is also very useful for the first start-up as part of the operating instructions of the BEA 750 emission tester. As soon as the user points tablet camera at the actual tester, all required tasks for the first start-up are projected onto the depiction of the device—step by step, using AR animation.
Bosch uses Augmented Reality to provide additional information including texts, pictures or videos for service or repair tasks at automotive workshops. On the screen of a tablet, it is possible to view the location of usually hidden components, including the vehicle’s wiring harness behind the dashboard. In addition, required special tools and information concerning the next working steps are displayed as well. This speeds up the working process increasing the service and repair quality at the same time.
In order to integrate the large diversity of versions and products in modern automotive technology into AR applications at low costs, Bosch has developed the Common Augmented Reality Platform (CAP). It accesses the existing database and collects the matching data for the intended Augmented Reality application. Besides information and explanations as texts, videos, pictures, safety notes with audio content, 3D data, circuit diagrams, technical drawings and markers can be integrated as well. The system works in a cross-platform manner and independently from certain tracking or rendering techniques, enabling it to be used in virtually any area of business.
For more information on the Common Augmented Reality Platform watch the video below:
