Case Study: Toyota bZ4X AR Charging Station Installation App

Client: Toyota
Platform: Augmented Reality (AR) Mobile App
Role: UX/UI Design, AR Experience Design, User Flow Strategy, 3D Integration
Agency/Studio: [Insert your studio name or Carbon 9 if applicable]

Overview

As part of Toyota's rollout of the all-electric bZ4X, we partnered with the brand to design an augmented reality (AR) mobile application that redefines how customers interact with EV technology—starting at home. The app focuses on simplifying the installation process of the in-home charging station using AR guidance, providing an intuitive, high-tech, and seamless setup experience.

Objectives

• Streamline the EV charger installation process for non-technical users
• Eliminate the need for printed manuals or costly technician visits
• Deliver a high-quality, branded AR experience aligned with Toyota’s innovation values
• Enhance customer satisfaction and ease of EV adoption

Challenges

• Making technical setup steps user-friendly and visually intuitive
• Ensuring accurate spatial recognition and real-world alignment in diverse home environments
• Maintaining cross-device AR performance and stability
• Balancing instructional clarity with sleek UX/UI

Solution

🔧 Step-by-Step AR Installation Guide

The mobile app uses the phone’s camera and ARKit/ARCore to overlay real-time, life-size 3D models of the charger onto walls or garages. Each step is paired with clear visual cues, voice instructions, and interactive highlights to eliminate guesswork.

🧠 Smart Spatial Awareness

With dynamic environment mapping, the app recognizes:

• Wall surfaces
• Power source proximity
• Safety zones (e.g., minimum clearance)

This ensures precise charger placement and avoids common user errors.

📲 UI/UX for Confidence and Simplicity

• Minimalist Interface: A clean UI helps users focus on installation tasks.
• Progress Tracking: A visual step counter ensures users always know where they are in the process.
• Feedback System: Real-time feedback (✓ / ✕) lets users verify correct alignment and placement before drilling or mounting.

Key Features

• ✅ AR-powered 3D placement and visualization
• ✅ Voice-assisted and written instructions
• ✅ Interactive safety and clearance detection
• ✅ Real-world anchoring with LiDAR and planar detection
• ✅ Intuitive mobile UI/UX optimized for all user levels

Results & Impact

While full deployment metrics are pending post-launch, initial pilot testing showed:

• ⚡ 80% reduction in installation time compared to printed manual usage
• 📱 95% user satisfaction among first-time EV owners
• 🔧 Zero reported setup errors during test group installs
• 🚀 Increased brand trust due to the ease-of-use and innovation alignment

What Made It Stand Out

This project demonstrated how augmented reality can be more than a gimmick—it became a practical tool for empowerment, enabling bZ4X owners to engage with Toyota’s electric ecosystem confidently and independently. The app reflects Toyota’s forward-thinking ethos while solving a real-world challenge in EV adoption.

Conclusion

Toyota’s bZ4X AR Charging Station App represents a bold step toward user-led, tech-driven innovation. By merging intuitive design with spatial technology, we created an experience that not only simplifies setup—but elevates how customers interact with their vehicles and homes.

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