Skip advert
Advertisement

New Skoda smartphone app listens to your engine to pinpoint faults

Skoda’s new diagnostic tool simply compares recordings of engine notes to accurately find problems

Skoda has completed trials of a new smartphone app that it believes could make life much easier for technicians at Skoda dealerships and service centres across Europe. 

Called the Skoda Sound Analyser, the app has been developed in-house by Skoda and is a simple diagnostics tool that warns of potential faults in Skoda cars by simply listening to the engine running. 

Skoda says the system is so sensitive it can hear even the slightest irregularity in the idling of the engine, and can suggest a range of services and fixes on the spot. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The app records the sound of the engine and compares it with a set of control recordings of healthy Skodas. It can spot discrepancies in the sound signals, and uses an algorithm to suggest the best course of action to a technician. It converts the audio file into a spectrogram - a visual depiction of the acoustic signals - and compares them with the control set for deviations in the spectrogram pattern.  

The system has an accuracy of “over 90 per cent,” according to Skoda, and it doesn’t work on just engine issues. Apparently, the Sound Analyser app can also bring to the attention faults in the steering system, the gearbox and even the air conditioning compressor. The brand says more is to come, too. 

Trails of the app have been running since June 2019 across a range of 14 European markets, and a total of 245 Skoda dealers and service centres have taken part in the pilot. 

Stanislav Pekař, Skoda’s Head of After Sales said: “Sound Analyser is a prime example of the new opportunities digitalisation at ŠKODA can create, even in terms of after sales. We will continue to consistently use artificial intelligence technologies to offer our customers an even more personalised service, thus enhancing the customer experience even further.”

Check out the best new cars coming out in 2021 here...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Bold new Skoda Vision 7S prepares to shake up the 7-seat SUV market in 2026
Skoda Vision 7S spy shot - front 3/4

Bold new Skoda Vision 7S prepares to shake up the 7-seat SUV market in 2026

Skoda’s seven-seater EV is marching ever-closer to production and the latest spy shots confirm its bold design changes
News
11 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
No electric Skoda supermini as Czech brand focuses on SUV future
Skoda EV

No electric Skoda supermini as Czech brand focuses on SUV future

Skoda will double down on SUVs, with no electric alternative to the Volkswagen ID.1 or ID.2 in the works
News
3 Apr 2025
Big new Skoda 7-seat SUV on track to sit above the Kodiaq from 2026
Skoda's upcoming seven-seat SUV - front

Big new Skoda 7-seat SUV on track to sit above the Kodiaq from 2026

The large electric family SUV will be bigger than the award-winning Skoda Kodiaq, and it'll be the next model to adopt the brand’s new Modern Solid st…
News
13 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2
Ford Fiesta facelift - front cornering

Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2

VW’s sales and marketing boss considers Ford tech share “very successful” – and won’t rule out future projects
News
30 Apr 2025