Interactive Audi Cam smoothes car repairs

Audi Cam system – now rolled out across Audi’s UK dealer network – smoothes repair flow decisions for customers.

Last year Audi introduced Direct Reception technology across its dealer network, allowing customers to see and speak to the mechanics (sorry, technicians) as they work on a car.

It’s a good way to pass the time if you have the time in the first place to sit in a dealer’s reception whilst your car is worked on, but it always seemed more a gimmick than anything else; a bit like the ‘Celebrity Chef Kitchen Table’ fad.

But now they have the mechanics trained up as mini film directors, Audi has come up with a properly useful way of offering more; the Audi Cam.

When your car is in for service, any problems are identified by the mechanic, filmed with the handy cam and a voice commentary given. All the details are then posted to a secure web page with a cost for repair and advice on the urgency. Customers can then choose their course of action from their computer or laptop and get the vital jobs done.

It’s a very sensible use of the technology Audi had already invested in for the Direct Reception, and should smooth repair flow for both dealer and customer.

But what we’d really like is for the Direct Reception to work away from the dealers – on your smartphone or computer – so you can chat to the mechanics whenever you want.

But we rather think that will be a step too far for Audi.

By Cars UK