Using Augmented Reality and Mobile Technologies to Train Automotive Technicians
Maureen T. Rymer, Elizabeth S. Damiano, Bradley McCombs, Rodolfo de la Torre · 2018
Despite decades of research exploring augmented reality in a variety of contexts, there have been very few studies exploring the use of commercially available components and a software development kit that is user-friendly for novices. Nearly all previous research has focused on applications that require extensive programming knowledge and experience. This trend makes the utilization of research findings in real-life settings impossible for those without in-depth training in computer science. In this paper, we report the results of an experiment with automotive technician trainees comparing a mobile application built with a user-friendly commercially available software development kit to a non-augmented computer-based manual. Results indicated that the augmented reality application enabled trainees to locate parts more quickly and accurately than when using the computer-based manual. These encouraging results are part of a larger study exploring the costs and potential benefits of augmented reality and mobile technologies in automotive technician training.