IRVINE, CA – May 2, 2025– EON Reality, the world leader in AI-assisted Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality-based knowledge transfer for industry and education, today launched a major strategic initiative aimed at building the highly skilled workforce crucial for Tennessee’s rapidly expanding automotive and Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing landscape. This initiative introduces a dedicated “AI Academy for Income – Automotive/EV Track,” significantly boosted by EON Reality’s groundbreaking Spatial AI technology. EON Reality is pursuing vital partnerships with Tennessee state agencies, the state’s robust technical education system (TCATs), and key automotive industry players to deploy a transformative XR and AI training infrastructure, designed to rapidly empower thousands of Tennesseans with the future-focused skills demanded by high-tech automotive careers, particularly supporting the monumental Ford BlueOval City project.

The Why: Bridging Tennessee’s Skills Gap for the Electrified Automotive Era

Tennessee is solidifying its role as a powerhouse in automotive manufacturing, marked by transformative investments like Ford’s $11.4B shared investment in BlueOval City, creating 6,000 jobs in Stanton, and the continued growth of its extensive supplier network. This historic industrial shift towards electrification, however, creates an urgent and critical skills gap. Modern EV production facilities require advanced competencies in EV battery technology, high-voltage system safety, sophisticated robotics integration, advanced assembly processes, and crucial collaboration with AI-driven manufacturing intelligence. Traditional training methodologies cannot deliver these complex, AI-era skills at the necessary speed, scale, or safety standards required to fully realize the potential of these massive economic development wins.

The What: EON Reality’s Integrated Ecosystem, Supercharged by Spatial AI

EON Reality delivers a complete, AI-accelerated solution specifically engineered to meet Tennessee’s advanced automotive workforce needs. This initiative leverages the full strength of the EON Reality ecosystem:

• The EON-XR Platform: The core technological infrastructure – a scalable cloud-based SaaS platform enabling the instantaneous creation and statewide deployment of photorealistic, interactive 3D training simulations. Featuring the revolutionary Spatial AI Text-to-XR capability, this platform can instantly convert Ford’s EV assembly manuals, TCAT curriculum outlines, or high-voltage safety protocols into dynamic, learn-by-doing XR training modules in under 80 seconds, providing unparalleled speed in curriculum development.
• Specialized AI Academy for Income – Automotive/EV Track: A dedicated workforce pipeline program optimized for Tennessee’s automotive sector. It synergizes immersive XR simulation with AI-personalized learning pathways, emphasizes practical skill validation through performance metrics, offers industry-relevant micro-credentials, and builds direct hiring pipelines with automotive employers statewide.
• EON Career Guide & Compass: Intelligent AI career navigation tools enabling Tennesseans to explore the evolving landscape of automotive careers (including EV and autonomous tech), assess their existing skills, and generate customized learning roadmaps for advancement.
• AI-Era Automotive Curriculum: Co-developed with Tennessee’s automotive industry experts and TCAT instructors, featuring modules (see sample below) meticulously designed to foster not only technical proficiency but also the essential skills for interacting with AI diagnostic tools, working safely alongside advanced robotics, and interpreting data from smart factory systems.

This integrated strategy transforms training. Participants are immersed in virtual replicas of advanced automotive production environments, mastering complex tasks safely and efficiently. EON Reality’s proven approach allows individuals to acquire difficult skills up to 4x faster than conventional methods, ensuring graduates are highly skilled and immediately employable assets for Tennessee’s automotive manufacturers.

The How: Strategic Tennessee Partnerships & Scalable Deployment Models

The initiative’s success depends on strong, collaborative partnerships across Tennessee. EON Reality is actively engaging with key state stakeholders:

• State Agencies (e.g., Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development – TNECD, Department of Labor & Workforce Development): Providing strategic alignment, connecting with state workforce initiatives (like Drive to 55), facilitating industry engagement, and exploring integrated funding opportunities.
• Educational System (e.g., Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology – TCATs, Pellissippi State Community College): Serving as primary deployment and delivery partners, embedding the XR/AI automotive track into relevant programs, leveraging their statewide network and instructional expertise, particularly TCAT locations near BlueOval City (Haywood, Memphis).
• Automotive Industry Partners (e.g., Ford, Nissan, GM, Tier 1 & 2 Suppliers, Tennessee Manufacturers Association): Collaborating to define critical skill standards for EV and modern automotive production, validating training content, providing crucial subject matter knowledge, offering work-based learning opportunities, and prioritizing the interviewing and hiring of program graduates.

Deployment strategies will be flexible and region-focused, including establishing AI Academy hubs co-located with TCATs or industry partners, integrating solutions into existing technical college labs, deploying mobile XR training units to reach diverse communities across the state, and implementing robust train-the-trainer programs to build long-term local instructional capability.

Key Benefits for Tennessee’s Automotive/EV Sector:

• Hyper-Accelerated Workforce Pipeline for BlueOval City & Beyond: Utilize XR and AI to drastically cut training time for essential automotive/EV roles, enabling Tennesseans to master vital skills 4x faster, directly supporting Ford’s timelines and the broader supply chain needs.
• Enhanced Safety for High-Voltage & Robotic Environments: Provide zero-risk virtual training to rigorously master EV high-voltage safety protocols and safe human-robot interaction procedures, significantly reducing workplace accidents in advanced facilities.
• Superior Skill Proficiency & Production Quality: Achieve higher levels of competence and consistency in complex assembly, diagnostics, and quality control through immersive, data-driven virtual practice, leading to improved manufacturing outcomes. Boost knowledge retention by over 75%.
• Instantaneous EV Training Content Creation with Spatial AI: Leverage Spatial AI Text-to-XR to instantly generate or update XR training modules directly from EV technical manuals or assembly procedures in seconds, keeping training perfectly aligned with evolving vehicle technology.
• Scalable & Cost-Efficient Statewide Training: Substantially lower training costs (up to 50-60% savings) by minimizing reliance on expensive physical equipment (robots, EV components) and hazardous materials for training. Efficiently scale consistent, high-quality training across TCATs statewide.
• Future-Proofed, AI-Savvy Automotive Workforce: Develop talent skilled not only in EV mechanics and assembly but also in AI-era manufacturing competencies: collaborating with cobots, analyzing data from smart tools, understanding AI-driven diagnostics, and embracing continuous technological change.
• Securing Tennessee’s Automotive Leadership: Directly underpin the success of the massive BlueOval City investment, accelerate high-wage job creation statewide, enhance Tennessee’s competitiveness for future automotive projects, and cement its reputation as a leader in next-generation vehicle manufacturing.

Comparison: Traditional Automotive Training vs. EON Reality’s AI-Era Approach

Expanded Targeted Use Cases for Tennessee Automotive/EV Training:

(Leveraging Spatial AI for rapid generation of relevant scenarios)

• Virtual EV Battery Module/Pack Assembly & Installation: Immersive, step-by-step training on complex battery assembly sequences, safety checks, and proper connection techniques. (AI converts assembly guides to XR)
• High-Voltage System Depowering/Repowering Simulation: Practicing critical safety procedures for working on EV high-voltage systems in a completely risk-free virtual setting. (AI generates safety drills from protocols)
• Robotic Welding/Painting/Assembly Cell Operation: Learning basic robot programming, path optimization, quality monitoring, and safe human-robot interaction within virtual production cells.
• AR-Guided Engine/Powertrain Component Assembly & Maintenance: Using AR overlays on tablets or glasses to provide real-time instructions and schematics for assembling or servicing virtual or physical EV components. (AI converts service procedures to AR)
• AI-Powered Defect Detection Training: Training technicians to work alongside simulated AI vision systems, learning to confirm or override AI-flagged defects in assembly or component quality.
• Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) Calibration Simulation: Practicing the setup and calibration procedures for sensors (cameras, radar, LiDAR) used in ADAS within a virtual environment.
• Connected Vehicle Diagnostics Simulation: Learning to use virtual diagnostic tools to troubleshoot issues related to EV software, connectivity, and over-the-air updates.
• End-of-Line Quality Assurance Protocols: Immersive practice performing standardized final vehicle inspections and system checks using virtual models and checklists.
• Lean Manufacturing Flow Simulation: Visualizing and optimizing material flow and workstation layout within a virtual representation of an EV production line.

Sample Curriculum Outline: Automotive/EV Technician for the AI Era (Tennessee Focus)

(Dynamic curriculum rapidly created/updated using Spatial AI)

This framework ensures technicians possess core automotive skills, EV specialization, and the collaborative intelligence needed for Tennessee’s AI-integrated auto plants:

• Module 1: Foundations of Modern EV Manufacturing:
  • EV Fundamentals & Architecture (Battery, Motor, Power Electronics)
  • Industry 4.0/5.0 Concepts in Automotive Production
  • Advanced Safety: (High-Voltage Electrical Safety Emphasis, Robotics) – AI-Generated XR Safety Scenarios
  • Data Literacy & Basic AI Concepts for the Smart Factory Floor
  • Quality Systems & Lean Principles in Automotive
• Module 2: EV Systems Assembly & Diagnostics (XR-Intensive):
  • EV Battery Systems: Assembly, Testing & Handling Simulation – (AI creates module from specs)
  • Electric Powertrain & Drivetrain Assembly Simulation – (AI creates module from specs)
  • High-Voltage Systems: Safety Protocols & Diagnostics (XR Practice)
  • ADAS Sensor Calibration & Testing (Virtual Simulation)
• Module 3: Automation, Robotics & Human-Machine Teaming:
  • Operating & Interfacing with Automated Assembly Lines – XR Line Monitoring Drills
  • Robotics Fundamentals: Programming & Safe Collaboration – XR Cobot Interaction Simulation
  • Utilizing AI-Driven Diagnostic Tools & Predictive Maintenance Alerts – Simulated Data Interpretation
  • Troubleshooting Automated Systems – AI-Generated XR Fault Scenarios
  • Cybersecurity Awareness for Connected Vehicles & Factories
• Module 4: Advanced Quality & Process Optimization:
  • Advanced EV Quality Inspection Techniques (Virtual Tools)
  • Root Cause Analysis for EV Production Issues
  • Interpreting Performance Data from Smart Manufacturing Systems
  • Digital Documentation & Vehicle Traceability
• Module 5: Workplace Dynamics & Future Mobility Skills:
  • Effective Teamwork in High-Automation Environments
  • Cultivating Learning Agility for Rapid EV Technology Evolution
  • Understanding Connected & Autonomous Vehicle Concepts
  • Career Growth Pathways in Tennessee’s Automotive Sector

“Tennessee is making monumental strides in securing its future as a leader in electric vehicle manufacturing, epitomized by the game-changing BlueOval City project,” said Dan Lejerskar, Chairman of EON Reality. “This ambition requires an equally innovative approach to workforce development. Our Spatial AI technology integrated with XR allows us to create highly specific EV training instantly and enable Tennesseans to learn critical skills up to 4x faster in safe, virtual environments. We are committed to empowering Tennessee’s workforce with the advanced technical and AI-collaboration skills needed to excel in these state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring the success of these vital investments and cementing the state’s position at the forefront of the automotive revolution.”

Learn more by tuning into our podcast and EON-XR Spoken blog.

About EON Reality

EON Reality, a world leader in AI-assisted Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality-based knowledge transfer, is committed to making knowledge available, transferable, and accessible globally. Our innovative AR/VR products with AI Autonomous Agent-driven Text to XR Conversion are transforming education and industry the way we teach, learn, and perform, positioning us as pivotal players in the future of learning and technology. For more information, please visit www.eonreality.com.