“BMW Augmented Reality Glasses Help Average Joes Make Repairs - Popular Science” plus 4 more

BMW Augmented Reality Glasses Help Average Joes Make Repairs - Popular Science
Do A Walk Around Before Renting A Car - ABC 27
Automotive franchises going strong despite industry problems - Best Syndication
Four Stars Auto Ranch's Jesse Carrasco named 'Texoma's Best ... - Wichita Falls Times Record News
The Labarron Brothers Repair and Parts FWD Division Takes Center Stage ... - Who Won

BMW Augmented Reality Glasses Help Average Joes Make Repairs - Popular Science

Posted: 03 Sep 2009 02:10 PM PDT

Here's an innovative application for augmented reality: telling you how to do stuff you should already know how to do. BMW have developed a concept for AR glasses that can assist their own mechanics in performing maintenance on the company's high-performance cars. The glasses read the field of view, point out the part that needs replacing, the screw that needs turning, or the cap that needs tightening (and even tells users which way to turn it). An audio track talks the mechanic through the repair, because what kind of knuckle-busting, touch-as-nails grease monkey couldn't use a gentle voice encouraging him or her through a radiator replacement?

Augmented reality has the potential to make so many things better, or at least easier. But should it become a replacement of basic human knowledge? Computers already do a good deal of diagnosis in the auto shop. If they are going to walk mechanics through every aspect of their jobs, it seems we can really dispense with the mechanic altogether.

But for the home mechanic, this kind of AR tech really has some potential. When the car starts making "that noise" again, the owner could simply link his car to the manufacturer's central diagnostic computer (via a built in wireless connection, which is already coming standard on some models). After the computer diagnoses the problem, parts could be automatically shipped to the customer and the proper instructions downloaded right to the owner's AR goggles.

With the proper parts in hand and step-by-step audio and visual instructions, even the most mechanically challenged among us should theoretically be able to swap a gasket, replace and tighten a busted belt, or even refill the windshield wiper fluid. Naturally, manufacturers have no economic incentive to produce something like this, as it would cut into revenue generated when customers bring their cars to the dealership for repairs. But if we really want to use AR to make our lives better, rather than to help our mechanics think less, we have to start somewhere.

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Do A Walk Around Before Renting A Car - ABC 27

Posted: 03 Sep 2009 01:42 PM PDT

Hershey, PA - Before renting a car, take a few minutes and do what's known as a "walk-around" with the rental agent and note any existing damage. It can save you lots of grief and money.

Being in the auto body repair business at the Select Collision Group in Hershey, Jeremy Cadwallader is always sure to thoroughly check out a rental car when he's on vacation. He showed us how to do a rental car walk-around.

"Common areas are along the mid-section of the body," said Cadwallader. "As well as when you open up the doors. People catch things on the door. They hit something. They open it into another car door."

Omer Yalcinanahtar of Enola told us, he wishes he had done a walk-through before renting a car recently.

"I wasn't told that I should do a walk around. I wasn't offered a walk around," said Yalcinanahter.
After he left the car rental agency, Omer said he noticed a crack in the windshield. He called the rental company. After returning the car, he said the company told him not to worry about it.

"About 3 weeks later I got a letter in the mail," said Yalcinanahter. "A bill basically for $577 for the repair of the windshield."

That's why when Cadwallader does a walk-around, he also looks at all the glass, including the windshield.

If you notice damage anywhere on the car, ask the car rental company to write it down and both parties sign the document, before you drive off.

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Automotive franchises going strong despite industry problems - Best Syndication

Posted: 03 Sep 2009 01:13 PM PDT

These are very hard times for the American automotive industry, but an exclusive franchise study by Franchise Direct (http://www.franchisedirect.com/) has revealed that automotive franchises are doing well nonetheless. With Americans holding onto their cars for longer than ever before, their analysis of the Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD's) of 30 automotive franchises found that more and more drivers are turning to franchises to keep their car on the road.

The endemic problems in America's car industry have been well-documented. But Franchise Direct's study has found that the sharp decline of automotive industry, coinciding with America's worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, has actually created some exciting opportunities for aftermarket and car rental and sales franchises.

The reality is Americans are not buying new cars as regularly as they once did. According to this new automotive franchise study, the projected new car sales for this year are 9.7 million units. This constitutes a 40% decline since 2007. Yet Americans continue to love their automobiles. The bottom line is that drivers are becoming more dependent on services provided by automotive franchises because they are choosing to get more life out of their car.

Aftermarket automotive franchises are best positioned to succeed, as consumers seek maintenance and repairs with greater urgency. Used car and rental franchises will also enjoy the benefits of this new reluctance to splurge on new automobiles.

There are also new niche markets developing for franchising to exploit. In the last few years, drivers have embraced automobiles with complicated engine control, microprocessors and high-tech safety and entertainment equipment. There has also been a movement towards 'green' technology in car manufacturing. As these technologies become more and more popular, a new market is growing for aftermarket franchises. Drivers no longer have the know-how to do this complex automotive work on their own and will turn instead to reliable franchise brands.

The great irony is that the global recession and the collapse of Detroit's auto industry has opened the door for the recent success of automotive franchises. America's love affair with the automobile is undiminished, but American's attitude towards car buying has radically changed. This research shows that consumers are turning towards automotive franchises (http://www.franchisedirect.com/automotivefranchises/7) to keep their cars on the road. With the government's stimulus plan providing economic optimism, it is an excellent time to consider franchise opportunities in the automotive sector.

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Four Stars Auto Ranch's Jesse Carrasco named 'Texoma's Best ... - Wichita Falls Times Record News

Posted: 03 Sep 2009 01:42 PM PDT

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Recently named Texoma's Best Automotive Technician by readers of the Times Record News, Jesse Carrasco was both shocked and humbled by the recognition. "It is a great honor to be recognized by my customers and my peers," he said. "I want to ...

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The Labarron Brothers Repair and Parts FWD Division Takes Center Stage ... - Who Won

Posted: 03 Sep 2009 01:20 PM PDT

Woodhull Raceway
Thursday, September 3, 2009
The Labarron Brothers Repair and Parts FWD Division Takes Center Stage at Woodhull Saturday

WOODHULL, N.Y. -- The LaBarron Brothers Repair and Parts of Woodhull along with Precision Collision of Elkland, Pa. will join forces as additional nightly event sponsors of the Sept. 5, 2009 event at the Woodhull Raceway. After an earlier season rainout the LaBarron Brothers will be back to co-sponsor the show with Maple City Dodge of Hornell.

On the card it will be a regular show of the L.J. Kennedy Trucking 358 Modifieds, the S&W Awards and Photos Crate Sportsman, the NAPA 360 Late Models along with the Signs Plus Mini Stocks, the Morgans Auto Repair Street Stocks as well as the LaBarron Brothers Repair and Parts Front Wheel Drive Divisions.

In addition the NAPA 360 Late Models along with the Morgans Auto Repair Street Stocks will run the Annual Race of Champions events.

Buck LaBarron of LaBarron Brothers and P.J. LaBarron of Precision Collision are no strangers to marketing at the Woodhull Raceway as both brothers have had numerous promotions at the track over the past several seasons. In addition to the night of sponsorship each company provides track signage along with other special promotions.

Gates for the Sept. 5, 2009 show open at 4:30 with racing at 6:30. For more information including the Woodhull Raceway Report Audio Cast go to the web at www.woodhullraceway.com.