Carolina Beach startup looks to revolutionize auto tech training with virtual reality

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Robin Cowie is the Founder and CEO behind Skillmaker.ai. The Carolina Beach-based company is using virtual and augmented reality to train auto technicians. 

Cowie’s Career began as a producer on the Blair Witch Project before he eventually made it to the video game industry, helping create games like NFL Madden. 

Cowie said he began thinking about how virtual reality could be used in real-world applications while he was in video game development at Electronic Arts. 

“I really started figuring out that virtual reality could be the most amazing way to completely step into the shoes of a professional and for people to learn basically by doing instead of being told what to do,” Cowie explained. 

Cowie claims the technology can cut down the time it takes to train an auto technician from two years to just under a month. 

So here’s how it works: 

First, the company uses VR goggles—specifically the Meta Quest 3—to give prospective technicians a first person view of how to do the job.  

Then, they’re placed into a VR training module where they can practice, before moving on to a real-world mock-up with an AR overlay. 

Technicians can then be certified remotely by a teacher. 

The software caught the interest of NAPA Autoparts, which plans to use the technology to train their technicians. 

“We’ve been working on it with them now for almost two years,” Cowie noted. 

Skillmaker plans to expand the technology beyond just training, by providing real-time answers to technicians using AR. 

Cowie said describes it as “Chat GPT for auto technicians.”

“So you can basically ask it any question,” he said. “You can be like ‘I’m working on an F150, 2020 model, give me the torque specs for these engine bolts,’ and it will give you the answer.” 

Cowie noted the software model could be expanded to teach in industries from telecommunications to construction. 

“That’s kind of the passion of Skillmaker. Making a difference by doing,” he said. 

The software will launch at the NAPA NOW convention in Las Vegas later this month. 

The company will work on refining the software with NAPA Auto Care centers before it becomes available to the general public in March of next year.