Auto mechanic work at Otto’s BMW in West Chester has become significantly more high-tech with the use of BMW’s TSARA, the Technical Support and Research Assistant, writes Scott Sturgis for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

BMW’s proprietary software allows workers in the shop to diagnose and repair vehicles, and it has made the job of Mark Grayston, the shop foreman at Otto’s, similar to those in the tech sector.

He uses an eyepiece strapped to his head that links to TSARA. This allows him to look through online shop manuals, see the diagram of a specific part of the vehicle, and then share this information with a specialist, so they can see what the technician is looking at.

“Digitalization has taken over the automotive industry in the last year or so,” said Grayston, who oversees 26 BMW technicians at the dealership.

However, despite the many changes to the trade that are incorporating more sophisticated tools into diagnostics and repairs, the core of the craft remains the same.

“There’s still knowledge and hands-on and diagnostics,” said Chris Clayton, service manager at Otto’s. “You still have to do your due diligence.”

Read more about the software that helps diagnose and repair cars in The Philadelphia Inquirer here.