Audi Middle East pioneers Virtual Reality training for an Electric Era

Know-how in high-voltage technology, electrics and electrical engineering: Audi Middle East is pioneering Virtual Reality training for their dealer network in readiness for electrification and the arrival of e-tron in the region. The virtual technology allows realistic, safe learning of highly sensitive technologies such as the high-voltage battery. 

With the launch of the first all-electric series model from the Four Rings, new challenges are also facing Audi Middle Easts’ sales and service organization. “We want to provide our service partners with the best possible support during the transformation towards electric mobility, while digitally aligning our training offering,” says Carsten Bender, Managing Director, Audi Middle East. “This is why Audi have been working intensively on innovative training concepts for the required qualification profiles. The targeted use of virtual reality is an important building block in this process.” 

Audi service technicians can now practice on the heart of the new e-tron: the high-voltage battery in a virtual space. In these process training courses, they learn step by step how to open the battery, change a switch box or change a battery module. The advantages of virtual-reality training are that thanks to digital technology, Audi Middle East can roll out the training courses efficiently, quickly and at a high level for the region. The technicians are therefore optimally prepared for the new model even before its market launch. In addition, our employees and dealer staff can get to know the new, highly sensitive technology in virtual space without any risk, and can determine the training speed themselves. At the same time, playful elements increase the learners’ motivation. 

The VR training for service technology is based on a modular solution that utilizes synergies with other parts of the company. Standard interactions such as gripping components are already pre-programmed, and existing design data such as for the battery can be imported into existing environment templates. This reduces production and development costs and makes the use of virtual reality in series production affordable. 

A multi-user approach is also possible with this new form of VR training. Teachers and students are able to meet together in a virtual space – even if they are physically in completely different locations.

Augmented reality, the fusion of the real and virtual worlds, is also in preparation. Audi Middle East is also pioneering the development of an application for car body experts in car dealerships that allows them to experience the Audi e-tron as a 3D model in real size via a tablet. Animations then show the service technicians the individual repair steps in detail. 

All Audi’s training content is available to service partners worldwide in a cloud-based knowledge database and can be accessed flexibly as required.

Technical Training at the Audi Training Center has recently been taken to the next level with the introduction of a VR training area, where technicians can do several exercises to learn about battery maintenance and care. The Audi Middle East Training Centre in Dubai Airport Free Zone is one of the first in the world to host VR training during 2019. In addition to Technical training, the Centre will facilitate Management and Product Training courses for over 600 delegates in the region per year to ensure the Brand with the Four Rings continues to deliver the best in customer satisfaction. 

The Audi Middle East Training Centre, conveniently located near to Dubai Airport Terminal 2, has been established since 2006. A team of 9 specialized technical and sales management qualified trainers are responsible for training over 600 dealer staff in the region every year. Audi sales staff and technicians participate in a variety of practical courses during the year that take place at their dealerships, in Germany at the Company headquarters in Ingolstadt and at the Audi Training Centre in DAFZA. 

Carsten Bender, Managing Director Audi Middle East commented on the new VR Training module saying “Transformation towards digitalization and electric mobility requires new media and qualifications to ensure we give the best customer satisfaction in the Middle East and we are proud to be one of the first regions in the world to use this with our dealer network”