Solera, NAPA, and Skillmaker Launch Direct-Hit XR, the Industry’s First Ask-and-Answer Smart Glasses Solution for Automotive Technicians

The NAPA XcceleratoR’s AI smart glasses now deliver Identifix repair intelligence hands-free at the vehicle, as the industry confronts a shortage of roughly 650,000 technicians

WILMINGTON, N.C. and WESTLAKE, TX — August 5, 2026 — NAPA, Identifix, a Solera company, and Skillmaker today announced the launch of Direct-Hit XR, a new mobile application that delivers Identifix’s technician-confirmed repair intelligence hands-free through AI smart glasses within the NAPA XcceleratoR platform — the first time real-time, verified repair guidance has been delivered directly into a technician’s field of view at scale.

The announcement comes as the automotive repair industry faces an estimated shortage of 650,000 technicians, a gap that widens as experienced technicians retire and take decades of diagnostic experience with them. Shops cannot close that gap with classroom training alone; technicians need expert knowledge at the point of repair.

Direct-Hit XR brings technician-confirmed repair intelligence directly to the vehicle. Working hands-free through the XcceleratoR’s smart glasses, technicians can verbally request torque specifications, diagnostic trouble code analysis, step-by-step procedures, and most-common-fix recommendations. Answers arrive in near real time from Identifix’s curated database of more than 3 million technician-confirmed fixes, each vetted by ASE-certified experts, verified repair data, not internet-scraped guesswork.

The Direct-Hit XR mobile application, developed by Skillmaker to bring Identifix’s Direct-Hit solution to smart glasses can be accessed through the NAPA XcceleratoR, the AI-powered training and productivity platform distributed through the NAPA Network. The platform combines immersive training goggles with ASE-reviewed lessons, a 45-minute hands-on job assessment, AI-powered smart glasses, and the NAPA Know-How knowledge engine. First shipments reached shops in early May, 2026, now deployed across 20+ states with new locations being added daily.

“Every technician deserves a master tech over their shoulder,” said Robin Cowie, Founder and CEO of Skillmaker. “You cannot close a 650,000-technician gap with classroom methods alone. When accelerated training and verified, real-time answers live in the same platform, new technicians become productive faster and veterans get even better.”

“For generations, NAPA Know-How has meant technicians can count on us for the right part and the right answer,” said Matt Crumpton, Director of NAPA Auto Care and NAPA Autotech. “The XcceleratoR with Direct-Hit XR extends that promise into a new era, making every bay in every NAPA-served shop more productive.”

“Technicians have trusted Identifix to answer their toughest questions since 1987,” said Meredith Zimmerman, SVP, Repair Solutions. “Direct-Hit XR takes the database that built its reputation on confirmed fixes and delivers it where the work happens — at the vehicle, in near

real time. We’re proud to have partnered with NAPA and Skillmaker to usher in the next chapter of our industry leading software for technicians.”

Direct-Hit XR is available now through the NAPA XcceleratoR. Full commercial launch is planned for the SEMA Show in Las Vegas on November 3, 2026. Future enhancements are planned to include a Spanish-language version. Shop owners can learn more through their local NAPA representative or at www.NAPAXcceleratoR.com or by calling 1-800-292-6428.

About Solera  

Solera is a global leader in vehicle lifecycle management software, data, and services. Operating in more than 120 countries and serving over 280,000 customers, Solera provides the digital infrastructure that powers critical operations across the automotive ecosystem, serving manufacturers, dealerships, insurers, repairers, recyclers, parts and fleet operators worldwide.  

At its core, Solera is built on a proprietary automotive data foundation and a cloud-based AI infrastructure designed to operate at industry scale. By embedding intelligence directly into workflows and continuously innovating across its platform, Solera enables customers to move faster, reduce complexity, and deliver better outcomes. By serving the full vehicle lifecycle, Solera creates unique synergies across its network, helping customers unlock greater value, improve performance, and succeed in an increasingly complex and connected industry.  Solera is home to many leading brands in the automotive and vehicle ecosystem, including Identifix, Audatex, DealerSocket, Omnitracs, LoJack, Spireon, eDriving, cap hpi, Autodata, and others. For more information, visit www.solera.com. 

About Identifix Direct-Hit

Identifix, a Solera company, has supported professional technicians since 1987. Its Direct-Hit platform contains more than 3 million technician-confirmed fixes vetted by ASE-certified experts, and its Direct-Help hotline has answered more than 4 million diagnostic calls, making it one of the most trusted repair-intelligence resources in North America.

About NAPA

Through nearly 6,000 auto parts stores and over 18,000 auto care centers in the U.S., NAPA has America’s largest network of parts and care. The NAPA Network is supported by nationwide distribution centers with approximately 800,000 available parts, accessories and supplies. Widely recognized for quality parts, rapid availability and knowledgeable people, NAPA Auto Parts stores serve automotive service professionals, do-it-yourselfers and everyday drivers with quality parts, accessories and supplies to keep cars, trucks and equipment performing safely and efficiently. For more information, visit www.napaonline.com.

About Skillmaker

Skillmaker is an AI-native workforce development company headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 2024, Skillmaker uses extended reality, smart glasses, and multi-agent AI to accelerate training, certification, and on-the-job productivity across the skilled trades. Its flagship product, the NAPA XcceleratoR, is delivered through Genuine Parts Company and National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) under a five-year exclusive agreement. Learn more at skillmaker.ai.