The advancement of self-driving technology has every corner of the automotive industry in a frenzy. From long-haul trucking to fleet ride sharing, the prospects self-driving vehicles holds are bound to upend the industry. One aspect, silent in the current discourse, is the self-driving technology part of the industry that involves the repair and maintenance of Recreational Vehicles. How do service shops and aftermarket self-driving technology RVs impact the technicians that work on them?
1. More Complex Electronics, Less Traditional Repairs
Many repairs on an RV involves fixing the engine, the plumbing, the HVAC, and other aspects of the ‘mobile home’ part. This line of repairs will change with the introduction of self-driving RVs. It will also mean new-trained technicians on top of diesel and gas engines, to advanced sensors, lidar, cameras, and AI control systems. More work may involve less replacing brake lines to swapping worn calipers, and more calibration of cameras, along with the endless work of faulty software updates.
2. Preventive Maintenance May Become Smarter
Autonomous automotive systems will keep track of the vehicle’s effectiveness in real time. This suggests that owners might receive alerts about required maintenance prior to a potential system failure, a phenomenon that can be traced back to the realm of predictive maintenance. This is definitely encouraging regarding safety and dependability; however, it may also mean more consistent service intervals and diminished “break-fix” emergency work, a primary staple of many RV repair shops.
3. Opportunities for Mobile RV Technicians
The prospect of an RV driving autonomously and parking itself in a service bay or even a technician’s driveway is fascinating. This is indicative of a new paradigm in mobile RV repair, where the vehicle drives to the technician. Companies implementing RV remote diagnostics and mobile service vans are on track for immense success.
4. Training & Certification Will Evolve
Even at present, there is a shortage of skilled technicians in the RV repair industry, and with the advent of self-driving technology, the situation is bound to get worse. It is quite possible that there will be a need to invest sophisticated diagnostic equipment, new manufacturer collaborations, and self-guided learning curricula. Certification in self-driving RV technology repair will be in the highest demand, and those shops which embrace change will be at a competitive advantage.
5. Insurance & Liability Could Shift Workflows
Proving that the sensors, cameras, and control systems on the self-driving RV were functioning properly might be the least of the repair challenges claims adjusters would face for a fender bender. Body shops might have to partner with insurance companies to amalgamate body work with surveillance of the body and documents relevant to the digital systems. This might be tough, but for shops that can provide certified digital workflow inspections, there would be new revenue opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Although fully autonomous RVs are a technology of the uncertain near-future, soon RV’s will be equipped with a multitude of technological accessories. Traditional RV repair shops have a choice: go digital or get buried under the mountain of lost revenue.
The RV ecosystem is, and most likely will remain, unchanged. People don’t buy RVs just for the technology; they buy them for the boundless opportunities to chase sunsets, sit around campfires with family, explore backroads, and wake up to breathtaking mountain views. Even with advances in technology, the core human experiences of RVing will remain.
The RV technician’s industry as a whole will not only remain untouched but will thrive and proliferate as RVs become more commonplace and heavily relied upon. Families will always love the ability to get on the road due to repair professionals. Retirees will always value keeping their RV in pristine condition, which is no doubt the revenue source behind the RV industry, judging by its uptick in demand from people of all ages.
To some extent, the development of self-driving RVs is less the result of automating tasks, and more the concern of providing stress relief for travelers. This stress relief, however, comes from the limb of skilled technicians and repair shops who know the ins and outs of these machines and how to keep them safe and dependable.
The future of the RV repair sector extends well beyond the mere repair and servicing of machines. It is about assisting journeys, cherishing moments, and perpetuating the essence of adventure. All of this joys and emotion is something that no level of automation can ever take away.