The digitalization of the automotive aftermarket

Frankfurt/Karlsruhe, Germany – Whether connectivity, automation, optimized drive systems or electromobility, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket takes a leading role in the imminent transition of the automotive industry. “Bosch increasingly relies on connected and data-based solutions. Already today, they allow for a lot of processes to be made more quickly and efficiently,” Manfred Baden, president of the Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division, said at the international trade fair Automechanika in Frankfurt. According to the auditing and consulting company PwC, there will be more than 470 million connected vehicles on the roads by 2025. Accordingly, the market for software and data services on the aftermarket will experience yet another significant growth and it will be a decisive factor concerning the future growth of the sector. “Bosch Automotive Aftermarket wants to continue growing in 2018 as well. With innovative concepts for effective and efficient maintenance and repair throughout the complete product life cycle as well as connected solutions for diagnoses and workshop processes, we support our partners concerning both current and future vehicle stocks,” Baden said. Connectivity and new data-based solutions bear the potential to optimize the workflow at the workshop while allowing them significant time savings. Bosch Connected Repair workshop software, for instance, prevents time-consuming duplication of work. In case of vehicle repairs, it provides the vehicle data once registered on all PC-based systems. In future, Augmented Reality will ease even rather sophisticated repair tasks for the workshop employees. This is yet another time saver – bringing about time savings of up to 15 percent on average. For this approach concerning the field of workshop trainings, Bosch received the Automechanika Innovation Award this year.

Preventing duplication of work thanks to connectivity

Bosch Connected Repair represents the basis for intelligent connectivity of diagnostic hardware in workshops. It connects vehicle reception, vehicle information and test devices, and creates a common data basis transmitted wirelessly to all connected devices. This means: The vehicle must only be identified once instead of registering it on each device separately as was the case in the past. Compared to service and maintenance with Bosch products without Connected Repair, this results in time savings of up to 10 minutes per vehicle at the workshop. Test reports, comments and images are directly stored in the digital work card and can be retrieved at any time. All employees have easy access to the digital working card and the vehicle status at any time.

Finding the best repair solution by means of collective intelligence

Besides intelligent connectivity of diagnostic hardware, Bosch Automotive Aftermarket is also working on the further development of established software. The new version of Esitronic 2.0 software, for example, allows workshops to optimize repair and diagnostic procedures, to shorten the time required for each vehicle and to perform continuous online updates. In addition, it can be used both online and offline. With the help of a free text search and a document preview, users find necessary information very easily and quickly. The experienced-based repair function provides yet another advantage. At a database, Bosch stored more than 750 000 actual use cases collected in everyday workshop life. Once a known error is recognized at the diagnosis, it automatically recommends a repair solution compiled by Bosch experts, which has already been assessed as a good solution by other users. Thanks to optimized loading times, version 2.0 provides searched information now even more rapidly. Even in regions with a low internet bandwidth, Esitronic 2.0 online can be used comfortably. All current subscribers receive the new Esitronic 2.0 online free of charge as an update.

Compact and versatile: Diagnostic Tester KTS 250

The Esitronic is also the centerpiece of the new compact KTS 250 diagnostic tester Bosch first presents at the Automechanika. It is suitable for smaller workshops or as an additional mobile device in larger workshops. The user is supported by an intuitive and Android-based user interface. KTS 250 offers comprehensive vehicle coverage of about 150 passenger car brands. It is future-proof due to its already integrated DoIP Ethernet interface and comes with an automatic vehicle identification supported by a first-class VIN data basis.

Short set-up times for the calibration of cameras and sensors

More and more vehicles are equipped with driver assistance systems. Bosch developed suitable hardware and software solutions in case a video sensor needs to be calibrated after replacing the windshield. Using the Bosch ADAS – for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems – calibration system, required tasks on radar and video sensors can be performed both quickly and accurately. Here, Esitronic software controls the vehicle-specific calibration and adjustment procedures. The ADAS calibration system is another example of how it is possible to efficiently check, mount and service sophisticated vehicle systems using innovative solutions.

More efficient thanks to Augmented Reality application

Bosch also breaks new ground concerning the application of Augmented Reality (AR) for trainings for workshop employees. For this purpose, Bosch was honored with the Automechanika Innovation Award 2018 by Messe Frankfurt. As a pioneer, Bosch already sketched the vision of a connected workshop showing the advantages of AR for the first time back in 2014. The specific benefits of this technology was now determined at a field study carried out at Bosch Car Service workshops: The result has shown that using Augmented Reality applications, time savings of 15 percent in average per step taken are possible even on common vehicles and less sophisticated repair tasks. This allows the mechatronics, for instance, to locate hidden components rapidly and to receive work instructions or information on required special tools integrated into the real image. Based on Augmented Reality, Bosch developed several new training methods to train workshop staff concerning sophisticated systems –for example, in the field of electromobility. With the help of AR, the differences between hybrid and fully electric vehicles, the functions and characteristics of various high-voltage components as well as strategies for troubleshooting are taught among other topics.

Comprehensive parts supply

Apart from new developments, the conventional spare parts business is also of ongoing and high importance for Bosch Automotive Aftermarket. From new parts to series-remanufactured replacement parts and repair solutions, Bosch supplies the matching spare parts for almost any type of vehicle. At the same time, workshops benefit from the high competence based on decades of experience concerning original equipment. This means that every part stands out for its excellent functionality and is perfectly geared to optimum interaction with the vehicle’s other technical components. Bosch wiper blades, for instance, feature a market coverage of 99 percent – from the latest passenger car model to commercial vehicles and classic cars. In addition, the Bosch wiper app also eases the identification of the correct wiper for each vehicle.