Smoother rides in a flash

Car dealers are getting ready to go hands-free when setting up axles on BMWs, MINIs and Rolls-Royces

Auto Express Car Reviews

Cameras capture positions of special markers on car’s wheels and body

02nd October 2006

Mechanics will be able to simply drive the vehicle slowly past a pair of digital cameras, and a computer will tell them instantly what adjustments are needed to give the perfect ride. The aim is to speed up work - which could cut service bills for owners. It makes child's play of a job that at one time could only be performed by experts. Special ultra-reflective markers are placed on the wheels and body, and a pair of bright white LED flashlamps ensure these show up brightly in the resulting photographs. Their positions are then analysed instantly by the computer.

The system works faster than any human could to generate a virtual three-dimensional model of the car, along with all the vital measurements, so the mechanic can make adjustments to give the best ride possible.

"This adds to the efficiency of the workshop, since customers can be advised whether anything needs to be done in only a matter of seconds," explained a spokesman for inventor Bosch. The system will be brought into UK showrooms next year.