NAPA Auto Parts Launches XR Training Goggles and Smart Glasses at SEMA
In a column for The Autopian, a journalist detailed a hands-on preview of new automotive repair technology from NAPA Auto Parts, reporting that the company is introducing two hardware systems designed to combat a severe shortage of certified technicians. The Autopian reported that the debut event took place in an event space in Lower Manhattan, where attendees tested out the NAPA XcceleratoR XR Training Goggles and companion Technician Smart Glasses. According to the reporting, the training goggles feature a 53-lesson curriculum intended to shorten the time required to certify technicians from up to two years down to 30 to 60 days. The system is already active in more than 400 shops.
Robin Cowie, who runs Skillmaker AI and previously produced the film The Blair Witch Project, partnered with NAPA to develop the training pipeline. Cowie stated in the piece that his father’s early work filming mining operations from a first-person perspective in South Africa influenced his approach to building visual skill-training platforms. Cowie emphasized that the technology combines two distinct devices rather than relying solely on virtual reality. He explained that technicians wear the smart glasses while physically turning wrenches on real vehicles, allowing them to access diagrams and check specifications without repeatedly stopping to consult physical manuals.
Hands-On Testing of the NAPA Assistant in New York
During the Lower Manhattan demonstration covered by The Autopian, Cowie demonstrated the smart glasses by asking a voice assistant to diagnose a 2018 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS with a 6.2-liter V8 engine experiencing a no-crank condition and total loss of scan tool communication immediately following a battery replacement. The NAPA assistant correctly identified the VIN and suggested inspecting the battery fuse box, main high-current fusible links, engine and chassis ground cables, and battery connections. The reporter also tested the system by inputting the VIN for a LaForza vehicle without identifying it by name, prompting the assistant to deduce that the vehicle utilized a 5.0-liter Ford V8 with a 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 firing order.
Unlike standard large language models that pull data from across the internet, NAPA built the assistant to draw exclusively from a verified corpus of automotive information. The hardware connects via Bluetooth or WiFi to Android or iOS devices, integrating cameras and microphones so mechanics can ask troubleshooting questions hands-free. A shop owner participating in a pre-rollout test told the publication that the technology already pays for itself by reducing time spent on both training and active repairs.
Pricing and Ongoing Rollout at SEMA
The hardware carries a cost of $3,000 for a single technician during the first year of use, or $167 per month per technician for larger repair shops. NAPA is showcasing the complete system publicly at the SEMA show, rolling out the XcceleratoR platform more broadly to service centers nationwide. While the primary target audience remains commercial shop owners seeking to onboard apprentices more rapidly, individual home mechanics have also begun exploring similar AI-assisted diagnostic setups using personal shop manuals.
Common Questions About the NAPA XR System
How long does the NAPA training curriculum take to complete?
The 53-lesson curriculum delivered through the XR Training Goggles aims to condense the traditional technician certification timeline from up to two years down to 30 to 60 days.
How much does the NAPA technology cost for repair shops?
The system costs $3,000 for a single technician for the first year, or $167 per month per technician for larger shop operations.
What hardware components make up the NAPA system?
The platform consists of two main pieces of hardware: the NAPA XcceleratoR XR Training Goggles for initial instruction and the Technician Smart Glasses equipped with cameras, microphones, and Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity for hands-on repair work.
Worth a look