Evolution to Revolution of Automotive Diagnostics

I. Definition of Automotive Diagnostics

Automotive Diagnostics is the process of identifying and analyzing problems within a vehicle system and contributes to the accurate repairs and controls total cost of ownership of a complete vehicle. The history of automotive diagnostics mirrors the evolution of the automobile itself. From the rudimentary tools of the early 20th century to the sophisticated, computer-aided systems of today, the journey has been marked by innovation and a constant pursuit of efficiency.

II Why has Automotive diagnostics become so relevant in Digital transformation era?

The evolution of automotive diagnostic tools has been driven by the increasing complexity of vehicles and need for more precise diagnostics.

1. Modern automotive products often have 50-100 electronic modules in every vehicle; 10s of kilometers of wires. There are Gigabytes of software running through the vehicle network and surrounding ecosystems that compliment functionality of individual sub-systems like Steering, Transmission control , Stability and many others which otherwise are achieved with heavier moving parts on products manufactured before 1990s
2. New organizations within OEMs and independent players with New Mindset are not as anchored by history as the current automotive giants and they are the ones leading the way forward with a minimalist approach – less wires, less modules, unification, standardization, ease of installation and not just cost driven.
3. In next 10-15 years where there shall be almost no wiring in new automotive products, perhaps just optical and power and diagnostics shall further evolve with Software defined vehicles. Modules will communicate in an Over The Air (OTA) network and will be connected to the manufacturers via constant internet access.

III. Merits of Automotive Diagnostics:

• Improved vehicle maintenance and repair:?Enhanced diagnosis leads to quicker identification of problems, reducing repair time and costs.
• Enhanced safety:?Proactive detection of faults can prevent catastrophic failures, improving driver and passenger safety.
• Reduced environmental impact:?Optimizing engine performance and identifying emissions issues contributes to environmental sustainability.
• Increased vehicle lifespan:?Timely diagnosis and repairs extend the lifespan of vehicles, promoting cost-effectiveness and resource conservation.

IV. Challenges of Automotive Diagnostics:

• Complexity of modern vehicles:?Advanced electronics and intricate systems present challenges for accurate diagnosis.
• Product Launch driven deadlines . Conflict of digital data across supplier parts and In house
• Access to diagnostic tools and expertise:?Specialized tools and trained technicians are required for effective diagnostics.
• Data security and privacy concerns:?Accessing vehicle data raises ethical concerns about data privacy and security.
• Cost of diagnostic services:?Complex diagnostics can be expensive, potentially creating financial barriers for some vehicle owners.

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V. Business Outlook of Automotive Diagnostics

• Highly regulated due to CO2 emissions and subject to standardization of diagnostics protocols.
• Offers frequent updates of High-end Audio-Visual-and XR repair content to technicians at dealerships tp perform Diagnosing electronic faults, Testing of Subsystems , Calibrate new parts and update with OEMs Software to wide range of products.
• Demands deep level understanding of Automotive Sub systems, IT Infrastructure footprint and balancing of Maintainability and license costs.
• Techno savvy: Embedded software deployment over Pins / Ethernet and Subscription enabled Remote services
• Primarily monolithic apps and heavy footprint on a PC. Rapid transitions to Cloud and containerized avaatars and lite versions on all devices.
• Highly subject to Cyber threats and dependent on consistent network from Internet Service provider
• Certified Blue collar jobs and Digital Roles. Knowledge intensive trained personnel who are paid by the minute on shopfloor. Super Collaborative job environments requiring partnerships with service providers and interdisciplinary subjects

• ?Range of Analog, Digital and AI Era methods. Early diagnosticians relied heavily on observation and manual testing. Experience and knowledge of the engine's workings, using tools like spark plug testers and compression gauges to identify issues were a key trait. There is a substantial workforce all over the world who passionately pursue this job and business holders who run profitable business with diagnostics as their prime offering.

VI Tribute to the Early stalwarts

The aftersales sector in automotive has been generating revenues because of the skills found in its workforce who are most commonly titled as The Mechanics or Technician. Lets take a moment to admire Mrs Bertha - wife of Mr Karl Benz - Inventor of? Motorwagen. Mrs Bertha had to be the first independent automotive Technician, as she was the first to drive the Motorwagen cross country in 1888. Pretty much evident that they must have encountered the need to troubleshoot an issue with first Benz’s creation. The first diagnostic routine was created!

VII Future Outlook

Thanks to the rapid tech revolution a new generation of workforce called the Diagnosticians have taken over the shopfloors. In the Digital era, the introduction of OBD systems, particularly OBD-II, provided real-time feedback on vehicle subsystems, greatly improving diagnostic accuracy. ?However the clock only starts here with the switch to

1. Ethernet protocol for speedy diagnostics and software downloads.
2. Rise of Telematics: Vehicles became connected, allowing for remote diagnostics and proactive maintenance.
3. AI and IoT: The latest advancements involve AI predicting potential failures and IoT enabling vehicles to communicate with other devices, enhancing the driving experience.

VIII. Conclusion

1. The importance of diagnostics in automotive industry is shaped by continued innovation and development to overcome existing challenges.
2. The platform for Diagnostics development is highly collaborative and is shaped by growing partnerships in the automotive industry.
3. In the next article we will dive into the types of automotive diagnostics. STAY Tuned for more!!