How does the automotive industry utilize AR and VR technologies?

Luxury vehicles have always had the advantage of futuristic technologies, predominantly used in the American and European automotive sectors. However, in a world where smartphone and internet penetration are already very high due to the pandemic, the adoption of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is accelerating at great speeds with the introduction of 5G, which allows for high-speed data transfers with low latency, and support from the government.

The automotive industry's global AR and VR ecosystem is expected to grow with a staggering CAGR of 41.8% to $1,21B by 2023. It's reasonable to say that the automotive industry is pushing the limits when it comes to technological advancements.

AR and VR technologies will greatly impact all automobile processes, including design, production, sales, and marketing. Here is how that transition will continue moving forward and how it is taking place now.

Vehicle maintenance

AR can greatly simplify vehicle maintenance. Drivers typically call the mechanic when a check-light flashes on the dashboard. However, AR has made it possible for vehicle owners to quickly understand what went wrong by scanning the barcode displayed on the dashboard. Technologies like interactive manuals with step-by-step instructions and video assistance eliminate the need to consult and comprehend the owner's handbook. Apps or virtual assistants that assist with simple troubleshooting and maintenance can also be created using augmented reality. Using AR glasses, an automaker can remotely transmit precise visual instructions to field technicians, saving money and time.

Engineer and technician training

The automotive industry is always on the lookout for skilled engineers and technicians. VR tools and simulators enable effective training, help learners retain more information, and create a safer training environment. For instance, the requirement for extra, expensive equipment can be eliminated if VR is utilized to teach technicians how to fix common issues. Using simulators, they learn how to fix cars without taking their parts apart. AR and VR in training for the automotive industry are anticipated to develop at the highest CAGR compared to its other applications.

Manufacturing

Automobile production is a fast-paced industry that relies on precision. Here, even a small error can cause big losses. Augmented reality is being used to increase the productivity of the automotive manufacturing process. The AR glasses provide instructions and essential technical information for assembly line workers, enabling them to quickly peruse paperwork without getting sidetracked.

Wearable devices provide important information directly in front of your eyes, inside the workspace, and on top of the machinery. They help you choose the necessary tools and spare parts and offer live guidance backed by step-by-step audio-visual instructions superimposed on the actual machinery. As a result, the assembly process will move faster and with less human error, boosting worker comfort. With this approach, accuracy can rise to 96%, and work can be completed 30% more quickly.

Design and prototyping

A major American carmaker uses virtual reality to observe the vehicle from the perspective of people who are shorter or taller than average to understand varied perspectives and design according to this insight. And this is just one illustration of how businesses use AR and VR. Using projectors that overlay AR graphics on actual automobiles, designers may evaluate numerous design alternatives and make improvements. They can set up collaborative work that is visible to everyone using augmented reality and incorporate changes as the conversation progresses.

VR offers an alternative approach to bench testing. Virtual prototyping helps manufacturers of electric vehicles (EVs) test a new vehicle's entire electronic system without relying on physical hardware. They build digital twins of the cars to experiment with the design while reducing development costs.

Safe and smart systems

Making a smart design that decreases the risk of human error is one of the absolute criteria for any modern car. Drivers are looking for greater safety measures and navigational assistance. Major developments in this area include the creation of smart accessories with cutting-edge technology, like an AR-enhanced rear-view mirror that can detect a blind-spot threat and reflect a live video stream of it into the mirror and a system of mirror-integrated cameras that can produce an unobstructed panoramic vision of everything behind the car.

AR uses heads-up displays (HUDs) to deliver weather data, traffic updates, and important performance alerts. Even for a brief while, reading an infotainment system (such as GPS navigation) requires you to take your eyes off the road, which could put you in danger. AR allows displaying information on a HUD right on the windshield inside the driver's vision range. Automakers are now working on sensors transmitting real-time information about the vehicle's condition, external factors, and full windshield HUDs.

Virtual showrooms

When potential customers visit a car dealership or showroom, they usually only see a limited number of models, colors, and feature options. A digital showroom that incorporates accurate 3D renderings of the automobile and allows customers to interact with it through physical and virtual mock-ups solves this challenge. These virtual models can represent anything that cannot be fitted in a physical showroom—even customizing and upgrading the inside or exterior is so simple when AR and VR are used, just like a video game. Real-time alterations to the interiors and exteriors may be viewed by customers, who can then make changes as desired. This enables them to make selections more quickly and conveniently, increasing customer satisfaction.

All that is needed is an AR smartphone app for choosing a car's color and wheel design and even having a test drive from the comfort of your home. Customers have a better experience as a result, and they may, to some extent, engage in the design process, which enables faster sales conversion.