Augmented Reality might just be the next big thing when it comes to wearables. AR technology is meant to help out in a variety of situations and car makers are even working on creating systems integrated into the infotainment systems of their products. Mercedes-Benz, for example, has such a feature in its new MBUX infotainment system. However, AR can be used in a wide variety of fields, including in dealerships, where technicians can take advantage of the new tech.

That’s what BMW is doing right now with a couple of novelties that are introduced right now. The technicians working in a BMW dealership will now get to use three new systems: Technical Information System TIS 2.0, the Technical Support & Research Assistant TSARA and the new TSARAVision Smart Glasses. These three will allow the technicians to gain faster access to technical information and make their life easier as a whole.

TIS 2.0 was developed by BMW North America  and can be accessed by technicians working on BMWs or MINIs from any mobile device. This allows them to search for all the technical data they need to fix your car, without having to leave the shop. BMW’s new online case-reporting system, TSARA, will speed repair and maintenance processes by an average of 70 to 75 percent, according to their estimates.  Through intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, TSARA helps BMW Centers and MINI Dealers work more efficiently.

For more challenging issues, where direct support from engineers is needed, BMW implemented the use of all-new TSARAVision Smart Glasses to their dealers and workshops. Thanks to these glasses, technicians in service centers can now connect with engineers and other experts at BMW of North America directly via a hands-free video link and collaboratively work through issues to resolve them in a faster and more efficient manner. The expert can project step-by-step technical bulletins and schematic drawings onto the display inside the technician’s glasses, as well as take screen shots and enlarge images for better visibility. The technician can open and view documents via voice instructions while working on the car.

The new technology will be in use at all 347 BMW Centers and selected MINI Dealers in the U.S. by the end of June. The system works with industry-leading components: Realwear HMT-1 Smart Glasses and Ubimax Augmented Reality Software. “TIS 2.0, TSARA and the TSARAVision Smart Glasses are great examples of how we are applying new technologies to help BMW technicians work more efficiently and further our commitment to offer the best possible service experience for BMW customers,” said Claus Eberhart, Vice President, Aftersales, BMW of North America. “By solving issues faster, BMW dealers can get customers back into their cars sooner.”