In today’s age, vehicles are filled with advanced electronics. From control units to anti-lock braking systems and airbags, these components are essential to a car’s functionality and safety. Mechanics rely on wiring diagrams to locate and understand these systems, but each new vehicle model comes with a different layout, making repairs time-consuming and complex.
The Current Solution: Manual Redesigning of Diagrams
To streamline repairs, we acquire wiring diagrams from various manufacturers and redesign them into a standardized format. This approach makes it easier for workshop specialists to read the information, regardless of the vehicle model.
However, this process is highly manual, requiring graphic designers to redraw each diagram according to specific guidelines. As a result, it demands significant time and effort, limiting efficiency.
The Next Evolution: Optimizing the Drawing of Circuit Diagrams
To improve this process, we collaborated with the TUM Data Innovation Lab, Munich Data Science Institute (MDSI) at the Technical University of Munich to optimize the layout of the circuit diagram. The goal was to minimize the manual workload while maintaining the defined standards.
The initial results indicate that there is still room for improvement. However, we are confident that these issues can be resolved to enable the generation of most of the manuals completely automatically.
Why Does This Matter?
By automating the design of wiring diagrams, we aim to:
- Save Time: Faster diagram creation expands coverage and ensures more diagrams are available.
- Improve Consistency: Standardized layouts reduce confusion.
- Enhance Readability: Easier-to-read diagrams help specialists work more efficiently.
More than just Schematics
Beyond wiring diagrams, we support workshop specialists through TecRMI, a comprehensive repair and maintenance information system. TecRMI provides access to OEM compliant data, including service schedules, repair manuals, and diagnostic procedures. By integrating automated wiring diagrams with TecRMI, specialists can streamline vehicle diagnostics and repairs, improving efficiency across the industry.
Moving Forward: The Impact of Automation
This project demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of automating wiring diagram creation. By applying advanced techniques like graph-based modeling, constrained optimization, and differential evolution, we’ve developed a system that accelerates the internal creation process while ensuring compliance with our standards.
Integrating automation reduces manual effort, speeds up workflow, and makes wiring diagrams more accessible to workshop specialists. This shift boosts efficiency and enables automotive professionals to work with greater precision.
As technology evolves, so will our methods for generating and refining these diagrams. This automation project marks the beginning of a smarter, more streamlined future.
Stay tuned for further updates as we continue refining this innovative solution! If you are interested in joining our team and contributing to projects like this, check out our career opportunities.
