BEFORE YOUR EYES

Joey Lagrasta, a foreman at MercedesBenz Brampton, sports the HoloLens headset equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s new Remote Virtual Support.

MERCEDES-BENZ CANADA INTRODUCES INTERACTIVE REMOTE SUPPORT SYSTEM

BY ALLISON ROGERS

Have you ever found yourself elbow-deep in a repair job, wishing the solution to your challenges would appear before your very eyes? Well, thanks to Mercedes-Benz Canada, that could soon be a reality for you and your staff.

In October, Mercedes-Benz Canada announced the successful launch of its new Virtual Remote Support program which, by using Microsoft’s HoloLens technology, technicians can share real-time views and sounds of what’s in front of them with one of the OEM’s remote training agents.

With the integration of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist, the remote technical specialists at Mercedes-Benz will work with the onsite technicians in an immersive setting, sharing intricate 3D images and holograms, see where changes need to be made, annotate the visual information in front of the technician’s eyes, add documents and insert instructions to highlight which areas to focus on.

The technology was first implemented in Mercedes-Benz Canada dealerships in July

The Microsoft HoloLens is a wireless ‘holographic’ display device worn as glasses. The first iteration was released in 2016, with the HoloLens 2 [pictured] was released in 2019.

“Given the early success [of the program], Mercedes-Benz Canada has since engaged its certified collision centre partners and bodyshops to participate in the Virtual Remote Support program.” – Mercedes-Benz Canada

2021. Now, all dealerships nationwide offer the technology, and it will be available to the automaker’s network of Certified Collision Centres in 2022.

“Given the early success [of the program], Mercedes-Benz Canada has since engaged its certified collision centre partners and bodyshops to participate in the program,” said Zakary Paget, a representative for Mercedes-Benz Canada. “With initial conversations heading in a positive trajectory, we hope to see additional rollouts to these locations in 2022.”

Early users of the technology have also weighed in with their firsthand opinions on the technology.

“I’ve experienced firsthand how the HoloLens is a game-changer,” said Joseph Lagrasta, a shop foreman at Mercedes-Benz Brampton. “Since deploying this technology in July, I’ve found we’re getting cars back to owners in a fraction of the time. I’m also excited about the comprehensive, 3D training sessions we’ll have access to.”

With the integration of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist, the remote technical specialists at Mercedes-Benz will work with the onsite technicians in an immersive setting.

ANDMR. BEEP BLINKY

THE POLICE CAR

BEHIND THE ICONIC ONTARIO ROAD SAFETY MASCOTS

BY MADDY KYLIE

The names Mr. Beep and Blinky the Police Car may sound familiar to some — especially those who grew up in the Greater Toronto Area anytime between the 1950s and 80s.

For those who don’t remember them, these are the names of two iconic road safety teachers that can be best described as human-like cars.

Mr. Beep covered road safety in Ontario. He was initially created by an oil company called British Petroleum (BP) in 1957 and was used for advertising purposes. The company also sold miniature toy versions of him at its gas stations.

Soon after BP turned the toy version of Mr. Beep into the real thing. Using a 1959 Ford Zepher chassis, Mr. Beep was transformed into a life-size car, which was used at public events to teach children about road safety. He also visited schools and made several television appearances.

Mr. Beep was self-propelled, and from 1959 to 1964 toured Ontario during the summer months giving safety lectures to school children.

His lectures were broadcasted using three speakers, which were concealed under the hood. He was also fashioned with a microphone that allowed children to ask questions which were then transmitted to the operator who would answer the question. When BP ended the campaign, Mr. Beep was donated to the Ontario Safety League and the Quebec Safety League.

Soon after, Mr. Beep was sold (sometime between 1964 and 1965).

He ended up becoming the mascot for Kentucky Fried Chicken for about a decade and then in 2013, Mr. Beep made his way back in the spotlight in an episode of History Channel’s Canadian Restorers, where the original vehicle was restored.

Since then, little has been said about the whereabouts or use of Mr. Beep. However, one thing is for certain he was one of the most fascinating and monumental road safety teachers in Ontario.

Not to say he didn’t have any competition though.

In the late 1960s, Roy Wilson, the Metro Toronto Police Sergeant at the time, asked CHUM radio station to sponsor his new invention: Blinky, a talking police car that also taught children about road safety by blinking. After getting the okay from CHUM, Blinky was fast to fame.

By the mid-1970’s Blinky had earned himself a starring role in a short, animated film called

“Blinky: Traffic Safety Rules.” The show was played in schools across GTA and was aired on the Uncle Bobby Show. Over 100,000 students had viewed the film between the late 70s and early 80s.

What made Blinky effective and somewhat terrifying was his ability to appeal to his target audience. With Kindergarten students he would use songs and rhymes to teach road safety, while older students would be exposed to graphic demonstrations of Blinky running over a doll infused with red paint.

After many years of scaring and informing children about road safety, Blinky’s designer Wilson sold him for $1.

Blinky has long retired from his days teaching road safety, but he still gets a few moments in the limelight by taking part in the Toronto Santa Claus parade every year.

Blinky even had some hunky posters made up for his cause. Is that a unibrow, sir?

Mr. Beep in his heydey.

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