Augmented Reality Vehicle Accessory Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Customers in the automotive industry face challenges in customizing vehicle accessories without a clear visualization of how they would look on their vehicles, leading to increased dissatisfaction and costly decisions without proper evaluation.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for collaborative customization of vehicle accessories in an augmented reality environment, using a device with an imaging device and machine learning models to identify real-world vehicles and seamlessly integrate virtual accessories, allowing users to customize and visualize accessories in real-time as they move around the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If customers view accessories in magazines or images, then they can see accessory designs, but they cannot accurately assess how accessories look on their actual vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual informationVSAvoidaccessory placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a virtual copy of the accessory and places it on a digital model of the customer's vehicle in an augmented reality environment, allowing them to see exactly how the accessory will look and be positioned on their actual vehicle before purchase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an augmented reality system as an intermediary between the customer and the physical accessory, using virtual reality technology to bridge the gap between viewing static images and seeing the accessory on the actual vehicle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If customers make substantial investments in accessories without proper evaluation, then they can purchase accessories quickly, but they experience increased dissatisfaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurchase speedVSAvoidcustomer satisfaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary visualization and evaluation of accessory placement and appearance before the customer makes a purchase decision, allowing them to see exactly how the accessory will look on their vehicle and make an informed decision with confidence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If customers lack the ability to customize accessories, then the system remains simple, but customer dissatisfaction increases due to inability to personalize

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic customization capabilities where customers can modify accessory characteristics in real-time within the augmented reality environment, allowing them to personalize accessories to their exact preferences while the system handles the complexity of processing these changes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11769303B2Augmented reality automotive accessory customer collaborative design and display

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A system that allows customers to collaborate with vehicle accessory manufacturers to design accessories in an augmented reality environment. A customer decision making and purchasing experience is greatly improved when viewing a physical showroom model (or other real-world model) of a vehicle they intend to purchase and/or customize. The system allows the user to select and customize virtual accessories for the physical vehicle, then overlay those virtual accessories atop the physical vehicle in an augmented reality environment.