Toronto, Ontario — Bosch’s automotive service solutions division has been using virtual reality technology to teach technicians how to properly calibrate cutting-edge advanced driver assistance systems and other repair techniques.
“When you look at the technician of today, the average age of the tech is around 50 years old and there are a lot of emerging technologies coming into the aftermarket, including ADAS systems that use sensors and need specific calibrations,” said Shawn Dupuie, Bosch training solutions manager for North America.
Dupuie said Bosch is currently working on three different learning platforms. The first platform is a partnered project with Ford Motor Company. In February, Bosch partnered with Ford to create a virtual reality headset as a tool for teaching service techs how to work on the upcoming Mustang Mach-E electric crossover.
The technology allowed for the techs to learn how to diagnose and perform service related to the vehicles high-voltage systems, wearing the virtual reality headset.
“The VR platform was designed for trainees to feel like they are physically walking through the room to learn the system,” said Dupuie.
The second project is like the platform used by Ford but with Bosch’s own VR training content, where it has a publishing team and a training arm that allows Bosch to conduct live remote training through the HoloLens—Microsoft’s VR headset—or tablet.
The “Bosch Remote Assist,” is the company’s newest project that also uses HoloLens and allows for individuals to interact with a real-life trainer. The program is all done through a Microsoft platform created by Bosch’s software engineers. The Remote Assist allows for certified technicians to interact with the students through Microsoft Teams, where the teacher can draw augmented visuals on the virtual whiteboard, create augmented graphics, and provide assignments that can be completed from home.
