January 12, 2022
The introduction of the Ford Model T marked a new era in transportation. Its reasonable cost made it accessible to ordinary people, making the Model T the first mass-market car. But with such popularity, a need arose for a new automotive service – a car repair shop.
Automotive mechanics had to evolve along with the rapid development of the industry, from the Model T to the present. From a relatively superficial understanding of an automobile’s mechanical and hydraulic systems, the mechanic was to become as much an electrical engineer as a mechanic. This is mainly due to the advent of the OBD (on-board diagnostics) system. The OBD system represents a change in how car mechanics service cars.
Computerization introduced many new disciplines that auto mechanics had to master to continue doing their jobs. This included fuel types and systems, wiring diagrams, and computer troubleshooting, to name a few. The subsequent release of the OBD II system, which became mandatory in the US in 1996, created a new industry standard. The changing environment meant that automotive mechanics had to be certified in electrical systems to service and repair modern vehicle components.
Autonomous vehicles are considered by many, including us, to be an industry renaissance, as revolutionary and extraordinary as Karl Benz’s first gas-powered car in 1885. Numerous car manufacturers and technology companies are competing to be the first to bring a self-driving car to market. Waymo, Tesla, GM, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and many others are ramping up their activity in autonomous vehicles.
The imminent advent of autonomous vehicles has already forced politicians to pass new laws and government regulations. If current predictions and predictions are to be believed, Level 4 autonomous vehicles will be available by 2021. Level 5 vehicles are expected to arrive by 2030.
What is less known, however, is what the new autonomous landscape means for auto mechanics and the auto repair industry. While some in the industry believe that autonomous vehicles are the bane of the auto industry, many others believe that automated technology opens up new job opportunities. For example, more electric vehicles are reaching consumers, creating a new demand for continuing education for service professionals. Autonomous vehicles will further this disruptive trend.
With sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and the many additional sensors required in autonomous vehicles, more diagnostic capabilities will be required. Classroom learning should build on previous certifications. Potential autonomous vehicle assistance professionals will need a bachelor’s degree to address potential skill gaps. Current professionals will be required to undergo ongoing training.
Both require sufficient hands-on proficiency with many new software and electronic components to adapt to the new technologies used in autonomous vehicles. That doesn’t even consider common elements of a car that require constant maintenance, such as brakes and tires. While the commercial adoption of autonomous vehicles will exceed expectations in the coming years, traditional vehicles will still be in demand. Both self-driving cars and existing vehicles will rely on similar automotive components, requiring the skills and experience of highly skilled technicians.
Of course, there will be a shift in business disciplines. For example, advanced computerization will help reduce the number of collisions and traffic accidents associated with driver error, leading to the decline of the post-collision repair industry. But as the demand for collision resolution decreases, more attention will be paid to software programming and data management.
Big data and predictive technology will also play a role in the maintenance and repair of autonomous vehicles by service professionals. In addition to data management and predictive maintenance, there is an entire ecosystem that requires service management. Self-driving cars are built as complete platforms. Car-as-a-Service is expected to play a significant role in the growing ride-sharing economy.
So many aspects of the car will address this new problem. This will include infotainment applications and connected app platforms, and on-demand rental services. These integrated consumer systems will be a differentiator in the competitive ride-sharing market. Their goal is to provide passengers with greater comfort and a more personalized experience.
Continued heavy use of these mobile services will require ongoing maintenance. If the shared autonomous vehicle fleet deteriorates significantly, the utilization rate will drop, forcing consumers to look for better alternatives.
Just as the Ford Model T required a new type of worker, autonomous vehicles also needed one. Despite their technological advances, autonomous vehicles are still cars.
The more miles an unmanned vehicle has, the more it will wear out. Every component, mechanical or electrical, has a limited life cycle—the greater the complexity, the greater the risk of technical difficulties. Until the autonomous vehicle space matures and acquires large historical datasets, there is a significant margin for error. This could lead to vehicle recalls in the early years when autonomous vehicles gain popularity, ensuring demand for skilled auto service technicians for the year ahead.