Bosch has introduced new generation KTS diagnostic tools, the KTS 560 and KTS 590. These now include technology which is currently only available on OEM diagnostic tools.

Bosch says that the new tools will allow independent garages to keep up with the latest technology developed by Original Equipment Manufacturers.  Vehicles now require a diagnostic tool for around 90% of garage visits, even for simple service functions, while consumer demand for features such as parking cameras and keyless entry, tighter emissions regulations and the push towards fully autonomous driving means that some vehicles now have more than 50 different ECUs.

One of the new features of the KTS 560 and KTS 590, not previously available on the older generation of KTS, is parallel channel communication. This allows communication to more than one CAN system simultaneously therefore making diagnosis faster. Due to the increased speeds involved, OEMs are using parallel channels more and more to carry out programming and diagnosis. OEM diagnostic tools have already been launched with this capability.

Using parallel channel communication allows the new generation of KTS to work like the OEM solution to perform PassThru. With the KTS 560 and 590, a garage no longer needs to purchase several OEM PassThru hardware solutions to cover the range of cars that they are likely to work on. The KTS 560/590 has been proven to be able to support PassThru on at least 14 OEMs with testing on other OEM vehicles still ongoing. The user can connect the KTS 560 or KTS 590 to the car, enter the OEM portal with a laptop, access the updates required and send the updates from the portal to the car through the KTS.

The KTS 560/590 are the first independent aftermarket products with Diagnostics over Internet Protocol (DoIP) capabilities, working up to 200 times faster than high speed CAN. This reduces upload times considerably therefore improving workshop efficiency. DoIP is being used by OEMs, using specific pins in the OBD socket to establish the connection. The KTS automatically identifies and links to the correct pins for DoIP.

As well as the key benefits of parallel channel communication, the wider PassThru capabilities and DoIP, there are also additional improvements with the new generation KTS. These include faster oscilloscope sampling rates (KTS 590 only), increased multimeter bandwidth and improved resistance to dust and water.

Bosch says  KTS can be complemented by ESI[tronic] 2.0 which can perform all traditional scan tool functions but also offers more complex features such as wiring diagrams, component locations and test plans, technical service bulletins and service data. Current subscribers to ESI[tronic] 2.0 will not have to purchase a second licence if they upgrade their hardware to a new generation KTS 560 or KTS 590. New subscribers have a range of diagnostic packages to choose from according to their individual requirements.