Modern-day vehicle buyers are embracing both entertainment and utility-based additions to the overall features. While the demand for EVs is gradually increasing, the love for advanced features like AR is commendable. While it may sound like an indifferent trend, a deeper look reveals that they can unite to aid each other. Augmented Reality in EVs can help them stand apart from their conventional counterparts to represent their commitment to a greener and cleaner future.
Why is Augmented Reality a turning point?
Augmented reality enables transformative capabilities that can greatly improve the workflow. EVs can take advantage of AR in all areas. From design and manufacturing to the practical use of electric cars, bikes, and passenger vehicles. By bridging the physical and digital boundary, AR allows us to interact with the new, intelligent software and advanced electronics that intuitively and substantially define modern EVs. It enhances the existing functionalities while adding overall oomph to the product. It also helps in incorporating new features that appeal and look new and better.
Impacts of Augmented Reality in EVs that you will embrace
AR is going to have a huge impact on electric vehicles on all fronts, be it design, manufacturing, or experience:
1. Designing and prototyping made easy
Traditionally, car design has relied on clay models and expensive physical prototypes, and most of the time, even that is not enough to create a model with fewer flaws. It is especially true for EVs where many problems are due to lack of testing and potential comparisons. AR completely changes the game. Designers can virtually mock-up car designs at full scale, superimposed right onto the real environment around them, and use it to gather all the data and potential flaws that are usually hidden until the last moment. They can easily experiment, tweak designs, and evaluate concepts – getting the digital model to physical reality much faster and cheaper.
2. Better car control and management
For drivers, AR is a great addition to their EV driving experience as its head-up displays will provide an optimal hands-free experience. Furthermore, critical driving information like speed and battery levels will always be in their line of sight, preventing distraction. As EVs are heavily reliant on efficient battery management, with AR, finding charging stations, planning routes, and accessing vehicle data will be much easier.
3. Easy maintenance
Auto mechanics will also benefit greatly from AR. They can easily access instructions directly over the repair area or the part that is not working properly. It will save them from fumbling with manuals and wasting precious time. AR guides can help the owners walk through each step with visualizations and animations. It will reduce the need to contact expert technicians unless it’s a serious issue.
Even the technicians can benefit greatly. They can enable remote expert assistance via shared augmented reality views and consult the higher-ups on complex software or spare part problems.
4. AR in manufacturing
EVs are much more complicated to manufacture in comparison to an average vehicle. With Augmented Reality in vehicles, manufacturing lines can be streamlined with all the parts projecting the necessary information and use of that part to prevent any potential mishap. As most EVs also rely heavily on the software front, the need for specialized workers who can align the parts with software modules is a big issue that can be solved with AR guiding the workers with basic knowledge.
Major brands that add AR to their cars have the upper hand.
Automakers are already leveraging AR for next-gen vehicle development:
- BMW
BMW has always taken the stage in utilizing the latest technologies in most of their cars. The same goes for their EV manufacturing. It uses AR for evaluating virtual car models and designs in a real environment to ensure that the completed model doesn’t have any major flaws.
- Tesla
Tesla boasts itself as the pioneer in the Automotive sector for revolutionizing how most of us viewed EVs in its early days. Tesla has also started to use AR instructions for more intuitive electric vehicle repairs. They also have plans to integrate it in their future cars where AR will be a major function.
- Volkswagen
Volkswagen has developed an AR app to help drivers locate the nearest EV charging station. The app displays the position of the nearest station while the driver focuses on the road and driving the car.
- Nissan
Nissan has taken a new approach to their 2023 Nissan Leaf. Customers can use the Nissan app to control their EVs and also enjoy an AR experience through it. It focuses on helping the users understand the car in a more illustrative way.
The Future of Electrical Vehicles is Highly Aligned with AR
As electric cars become smarter and more defined, Augmented Reality in EVs will play an extremely important role. The global EV market expects about 17.5 million units to be sold in 2024, a 27% increase from 2023. The addition of another rising technology will only aid this rapid growth. The AR-based interface is the most natural way for users to interact with the intelligent features of an autonomous EV.
With AR headsets and smart glasses becoming mainstream consumer devices, it creates a reinforcing cycle. The widespread AR adoption will drive further innovation for its use in EVs. It will spur more AR adoption, and so on. Thus, the growth of EVs and AR is inevitable in the future.
Way Ahead
Electric vehicles and augmented reality are on a collision course to impact and push each other forward. Augmented Reality can enhance every facet of the EV experience, from the drawing board design phase to manufacturing to the buyer’s journey.
As the trend continues to develop, it will open up vast innovation opportunities. It will transform how people decide to purchase vehicles. Automakers looking to capitalize on the growing potential of augmented reality in EVs will have a significant competitive advantage.
Are you an innovator looking to spruce up your EV further with Augmented Reality? Sign up for the PlugXR Platform or Book a demo now!