Peterbilt Motors Company will deploy 200 of its patented ARTech™ augmented reality tools to dealers by March 31, 2022. ARTech is a proprietary software designed to innovate dealer service and improve customer uptime. It uses 3D and augmented reality views of chassis-specific Peterbilt trucks with existing service systems like PACCAR Solutions Service Management. The systems help technicians visualize major truck systems and instantly access related technical documentation and diagrams via an Apple iPad.
“We analyzed technicians’ pain points and focused on key technologies required to put all of the correct and pertinent data from multiple databases in one single location at their fingertips,” says Peyton Harrell, director of dealer development for Peterbilt. “The result is our ARTech tool, which transforms 2D technical information into a 3D image by placing full-scale objects on top of the real environment. This technology provides technicians a type of x-ray vision to help improve diagnostic and repair times. Dealerships who are using ARTech in their service bays have reported a 15-20% improvement in service repair times.”
EMPOWERING TECHNICIANS
It is helpful for service technicians to have technical data from engineers to troubleshoot and perform repairs. Augmented reality, its related software, hardware, and architecture can help fill the void and bring that data to service technicians. It also allows the technician to explore and understand the objects in the most efficient way for them.
“Instead of having to carry a laptop, an adapter, and other tools to be able to pull information up on a laptop, now you’re carrying an iPad with all of the information in one convenient location,” says Mike Lacey, western regional product support manager at Ohio Peterbilt. “This has been a huge timesaver in pinpointing and troubleshooting codes and issues, speeding up the process and getting our customers’ trucks back on the road as quickly as possible.”
Peterbilt worked with a team of analysts as well as visionaries, designers, developers, and architects to create the technology. Then, they tested the technology at select Peterbilt dealerships.
Jason Skoog, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice president, says the goal was to drive uptime for Peterbilt customers. He says ARTech makes the goal achievable because it empowers technicians working on the equipment. Further, ARTech closes the gap between data on a screen or on paper and the vehicle in service. ARTech gives technicians access to the information they need when they need it the most, Skoog says.
Finally, Peterbilt’s ARTech builds on the company’s comprehensive suite of uptime services offered on its vehicles and supported through its dealer network.
Find out more, visit www.peterbilt.com.
