RealWear HMT-1 Driving The Future For Major Automotive Brands
Leading Automotive Manufacturers Select RealWear Connected Worker Solutions
Groupe PSA, Volkswagen, Toyota, Renault Trucks, and More Achieve Greater Productivity with this Wearable Computer
In an earlier article, we shared examples of several major automotive manufacturers that have introduced RealWear’s connected worker solutions to their teams. Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and BMW North America have all improved customer satisfaction and increased productivity with RealWear’s HMT-1® wearable computer.
Now Groupe PSA, Volkswagen Group UK Ltd, Lexus, and Renault Trucks are reporting similar results. Keep reading to see how the HMT-1 wearable computer is changing the future for major automotive manufacturers around the world.
Groupe PSA Technicians in 10 Countries have Logged More Than 10,000 Hours on HMT-1 Wearable Computers
Groupe PSA, which owns car brands Peugeot, Citroën, DS Automobiles, OPEL, and Vauxhall initiated its “Glasses Assist” project with RealWear in March 2018. Since that time, Groupe PSA workers have logged more than 10,000 hours on RealWear’s HMT-1 wearable computers. The 45 voice-controlled, fully hands-free headsets are currently in frequent use in factories in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Slovakia, Russia, Morocco, India, Argentina and Brazil.
Adoption of HMT-1 by Groupe PSA technicians has been swift. The voice command interface of the HMT-1 is so intuitive that it can be learned in a few seconds without the need for instructions, and it responds readily even in noisy conditions common on a factory floor. In addition, HMT-1 easily snaps into a hard hat or bump cap, and it is comfortable to wear throughout a full shift.
The “Glasses Assist” solution uses HPE Visual Remote Guidance software running on RealWear HMT-1 hands-free rugged Android tablets. Technicians use HPE VRG to conduct real-time two-way video conference calls with remote experts at other factories. In this way, Groupe PSA has been able to:
- Simplify the automotive assembly processes
- Reduce unplanned downtime
- Improve the overall quality of mission-critical tasks
All of these achievements have saved the company both time and money. Groupe PSA has implemented its “Glasses Assist” solution in 80% of its factories to date, with plans to expand in the future.
“Our fleet of HMTs was seamlessly integrated within our existing processes and passed all safety compliant requirements without question. We will continue to expand our HMT-empowered team with big plans ahead.”
Guillaume Calfati, who leads new digital experiences and creative excellence at Groupe PSA
Volkswagen Group UK Ltd Expands Launch of Atheer Platform on RealWear HMT-1 Wearable Computers
Volkswagen Group UK Ltd is expanding its initial launch of RealWear HMT-1 headsets that use the Atheer Augmented Reality Platform. The RELS system (Remote Expert Live Support) combines Atheer’s connected worker solution and RealWear’s HMT-1 wearable computer to connect Retailer technicians to experts in Milton Keynes.
When technicians access the Atheer solution on their RealWear HMT-1 headsets, they become connected workers with instant access to Volkswagen’s knowledge base. The system is intuitive, so anyone can learn to use it just minutes after putting it on.
Volkswagen Group UK Ltd is enhancing the layout of its service bays and investing in new skills training programs for its experts and technicians. All of these steps will prepare Retailers to service the 22 million electric vehicles The Group expects to produce across 70 new models over the next 10 years. RELS will play a critical role in these updates.
RELS will empower Volkswagen Group UK Ltd Retailer technicians in the following ways:
- Now technicians can get real-time guidance from remote experts when they run into a problem they can’t fix on their own.
- Technicians can access critical documents and schematics with a few simple voice commands. No need for bulky binders.
- If they need a refresher on any part of a new electric vehicle, they can access just-in-time training in seconds.
“RELS enables our Technical Service Centre to support Volkswagen Group’s innovative new vehicles with industry-leading customer service, reliability and safety,” he said. “We have seen the power of Augmented Reality and believe it will be a major driver to transform the way we service and maintain the millions of new Volkswagen Group vehicles that will hit in the road the next few years. And we value Atheer’s partnership and the power of the Atheer platform in making this a reality.”
Metin Tahsin, Volkswagen Group UK Technical Support Manager
When a Volkswagen Group UK Ltd technician accesses the Atheer solution on their RealWear HMT-1 wearable computer, they become connected workers with instant access to Volkswagen’s knowledge base. And just like Groupe PSA frontline workers, Volkswagen Group UK Ltd technicians found the HMT system to be intuitive, so anyone can learn to use it just minutes after putting on the device.
Renault Trucks Speeds Up After-Sales Service with HMT-1 and Librestream
Groupe PSA and Volkswagen Group UK Ltd are just a few of the major automakers using HMT-1 to improve technicians’ productivity. Renault Trucks has announced it is rolling out its remote mentor solution ‘Optiview’ to dealerships across the United Kingdom. With Optiview, Renault Trucks technicians will use RealWear HMT-1 headsets to significantly speed up after-sales service for its customers.
This has major implications for fleet management, because anything that can accelerate repairs will enable more vehicles in a fleet to get back on the road sooner.
Renault Trucks’ technicians will use RealWear HMT-1 wearable computers together with Librestream Onsight Connect software. This will allow them to contact technical support experts for real-time guidance with just a few simple voice commands.
In addition, technicians can use the Optiview platform for:
- Two-way video / image / document sharing with remote experts
- Noise capture to complement visual inspection
- Reviewing digitized manuals
- Watching training videos
“Optiview is an exciting step for Renault Trucks, marking a new era where wearable AR and voice command technology becomes the norm in our workshops and out in the field. The headset is the ideal wearable choice for technicians, giving them the support of the technical team right when they need it to speed up diagnosis and repair on complex issues. This technology will improve the efficiency of our dealer network and our customer service, resolving issues more swiftly.”
Derek Leech, Service Market & Retail Development Director, Renault Trucks UK
Toyota Germany Reduced Field Service Costs by 20% with Essert Digital Solutions on RealWear HMT-1
Toyota’s use case is similar to that of Groupe PSA, Volkswagen Group UK Ltd, and Renault Trucks. But Toyota launched a different connected worker solution with the HMT-1 wearable computer. By using an Augmented Support solution by Essert Digital* together with HMT-1, Toyota Germany was able to achieve a 20% cost savings in field service.
“With the augmented support software we can better decide when a field service is really necessary. This increases the availability of the experts, improves the support of our dealers and increases customer satisfaction. The goal in the first year is to reduce 20% of field service through the augmented support software. Each of these missions costs us about 1000 euros, as soon as a significant sum comes together.”
Achim Koch, Product Quality Manager, Toyota
These initial results have motivated Toyota to identify additional use cases for RealWear HMT-1 hands-free rugged Android tablets and the Essert Digital connected worker solution. Toyota is already planning pilot projects in their warranty processing division and within their European production plants, the latter for maintenance, repair, and operations.
More and More Major Automotive Manufacturers are Choosing the HMT-1 Wearable Computer to Improve Productivity and Increase Customer Satisfaction
On a final note, we share this quote from Derek Leech of Renault Trucks: “The possibilities to transform the way we work with this technology are far-reaching, from hands-free inspections and voice activated report writing, to creating live step by step instructions. The future starts here.”
Groupe PSA, Volkswagen Group UK Ltd, Renault Trucks, and Toyota are creating the future of automotive after-sales service and fleet management with HMT-1. Add to this recent connected worker initiatives by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and BMW North America, and the future looks bright.
See how the HMT-1 wearable computer can optimize fleet management and after-sales service by improving productivity and customer satisfaction.
Want to learn how connected worker solutions on HMT-1 can benefit your team?
*Essert Digital is now a brand of Ubimax. Learn more about Ubimax connected worker solutions.
Aaron is the Head of Communications for RealWear.