One of the themes of the huge Bosch stand at Automechanika was the "Connected Workshop”. In a special demonstration zone Bosch experts showed how the future workshop will interact with other web-based services and how the application of Augmented Reality will come into common use. Hourly product presentations gave visitors a glimpse of the future and the potential that Bosch developing technology can bring.

Visitors could see first-hand how improved networking could help workshop loading and make vehicle data and repair history information instantly available. They could also see how diagnostic equipment could automatically exchange data and how vital manufacturer information can be accessed by the workshop professional in real time.

One of the most impressive uses of new technology on display by Bosch was the application of Augmented Reality to provide point of repair information for technicians. The Bosch system allows a camera to be pointed onto the vehicle and to integrated information into the real image using a tablet computer or smart glasses. Information can be displayed in explanatory texts and instructions, manuals or circuit diagrams, three-dimensional objects or photos and videos. In this manner, even hidden components or cable harnesses can be displayed. Bosch says the time required to perform sophisticated repair tasks can thus be reduced by 10 to 15%.

In order to create efficient Augmented Reality applications, Bosch created the Common Augmented Reality Platform (CAP) allowing the fast and easy integration of digital and visual contents into technical documentation. Bosch says that by 2018, the first workshops will be working with such Augmented Reality applications.