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Tradiebot: New Collision Repair Training Software

An Australian-based advanced software company that develops immersive technology solutions for training and information delivery in the automotive and trade sectors has been getting rave reviews from students and teachers worldwide.

Tradiebot, founded three years ago, develops cutting-edge systems using technology like augmented reality and virtual environments. These systems are integrated seamlessly with automotive businesses such as auto body shops, car rebuilders/customizers and large collision repair centers.

The company has partnered with some key industry players including universities, schools and government bodies to develop industrial innovation and digital transformation through its training platforms.

With an enormous need for new talent in the collision repair industry all over the planet, Tradiebot is succeeding by helping people and organizations to perform a wide range of tasks―from applying primer to a fender all the way to plastic and metal welding techniques.

Beth Rutter, Tradiebot’s director of industry and customer engagement, North America, can see a future where schools or training facilities rely almost exclusively on immersive training.

Simulators won’t replace instructors and I-CAR probably isn’t going to hire robots to teach classes―yet―but augmented reality is here to stay because it’s effective and easy to integrate into any training program. Training on a virtual system has proven to be highly effective in many industries. Today, bus drivers can learn their routes via augmented reality systems, so your kids won’t be late to school, and doctors now practice on virtual patients in order to improve their skills and techniques.

Tradiebot can provide training for anyone who works in an auto body shop, but currently its main focus is developing virtual reality programs to train entry-level refinish technicians, as well as augmented

OE Shop Certification reality technical information systems and a robotic 3D printing headlight Repairbot. with Gary Ledoux As the world enters the age of electric vehicles, Tradiebot is prepared to be on the cutting edge when it comes to all of the associated training that will be required. Product Innovation “We can use virtual training for anything you can imagine, and with with Stacey Phillips all of the processes associated with EVs, our solutions are ideal,” Rutter said. “We can train someone in every aspect of this industry, including Students and trainees can learn collision repair techniques auto diagnostics, estimating, aluFrom the Desk of Mike Anderson from their smartphones and other personal devices while using Tradiebot minum repair, plastic welding and OE repair procedure, in some cases. with Mike Anderson Our systems work especially well when techs are trained for repetitive tasks.” A 2019 study on the use of virtual reality (VR) training for soft skills by professional services from

See Collision Repair Training, Page 44

Tesla, Volvo Among 5 Carmakers Under NHTSA Investigation for ADAS Crashes

by Joey Klender, Teslarati

Tesla, Volvo, Cadillac, Lexus and Navya are five car companies under investigation by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) for crashes that occurred while Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) were activated, the agency said.

The NHTSA released a list of 36 total accidents that occurred in the U.S., dating back as far as June 2016. Of the 36 accidents, 30 involve Tesla vehicles.

Not all of the Teslas listed were using Autopilot, however. Three of the Tesla cases listed are described as “Electric Vehicle-Not in Autopilot,” according to the list the NHTSA provided to Teslarati. Additionally, one incident hasn’t been confirmed as to whether or not a Tesla Model S used Autopilot at the time of its crash.

Five accidents are listed as “More Over Law Special Study,” while one is listed as “Heavy Truck Underride.”

The NHTSA did not provide a statement.

Tesla’s Autopilot systems, despite being proven through statistics to make vehicles nearly 10 times less likely to be involved in an accident compared to a human driver, are still widely considered controversial by many who have not experienced the system.

Autopilot is not fully autonomous, and Tesla has never claimed its vehicles should be operated without the driver paying attention to road conditions or surroundings. However, the company has implemented several safety features to ensure drivers are paying attention during the use of Autopilot or the Full Self-Driving suite.

On the list are several notable recent accidents, including the Model S crash in Texas in April that killed two after catching fire. The NHTSA already performed a preliminary investigation on the accident and determined Autosteer could not have be engaged where the accident took place.

The NHTSA said:

“The vehicle was equipped with Autopilot, Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system. Using Autopilot requires both the Traffic-Aware Cruise Control and the Autosteer systems to be engaged. Two NTSB tests of an exemplar car at the crash location showed that Traffic-Aware Cruise Control could be engaged but that Autosteer was not available on that part of the road.”

Another accident, listed as “Heavy Truck Underride,” involved a Model Y in Detroit. Despite the local police department stating reckless driving was the likely cause of the crash, the NHTSA is still investigating the accident.

Volvo is among the other manufacturers on the list, with a March 2017 and a March 2018 accident involving its XC90. The 2017 accident resulted in minor injuries, while the 2018 incident was fatal to the passenger. The XC90 was using ADAS during both accidents, the NHTSA chart says.

The Lexus RH450H, the Cadillac CT6, listed twice, and the Navya Arma were also all listed with ADAS case types, but all of these vehicles had no injuries due to the accidents.