Posted on 03/13/2026 8:45:28 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Now a system called UVeye is designed to bring that transparency to the process.
“We’re like an MRI for your car,” said Matt Small of UVeye.
The drive-through system uses multiple cameras to capture hundreds of high-resolution images and video of a vehicle in just seconds.
“We’re going to detect anything down to 2 millimeters,” Small said.
It also uses infrared technology to detect rust and issues underneath the car.
“[It was] originally developed for military use so we were scanning the undercarriage of vehicles looking for bombs and different threats like that,” Small explained.
In under a minute, the system generates a report for customers, flagging potential problems like dents, scratches, oil leaks, tread wear and even something stuck in a tire. Because it relies on artificial intelligence, the system also improves as more vehicles are scanned.
“We’re scanning over 3 million vehicles a month,” Small said.
The Crown dealership in Ventura is among a growing number across the country adopting the technology.
“It’s a pretty neat thing to see a customer’s reaction when they zoom in and say whoa I can see every nut and bolt on the bottom of this car,” Thompson said.
The scanner also documents a vehicle’s condition the moment it arrives, which can help settle damage disputes. It can also be used to evaluate trade-ins.
And the technology isn’t limited to dealerships. It’s also being used by rental car companies, large fleets, ports and even Homeland Security.
“Really what we find is it doesn’t replace humans it helps humans do their job better,” Small said.
Of course, systems like this can also help service departments sell more repairs. But customers get to see the same images and data for themselves, instead of relying on one person’s opinion.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
I have a multi-meter with a thermal imaging camera, and it has come in very handy for many things that I never thought of when I purchased it. I spent $115 on it a couple years ago. It looks like this one that now costs $119...
https://www.amazon.com/FIXCHIGO-Multimeter-ISR240x240-Touchscreen-Temperature/dp/B0DTTSYGXQ
Maybe, but they won’t e able to feel and smell oil and ATF when they check it. Visual inspection isn’t enough of components is insufficient and they won’t have the sixth sense gestalt knowledge a born gearhead had. It’s an art and a trade.
I’m sure they’ll have feel and smell and a bunch of other senses we don’t have. Xray, ultrasound, eyes that zoom in, infrared and ultraviolet vision, built in flash lights,instant AI access giving them ideas of what to do in a particular situation and diagnose a problems....
They can tolerate high heat, be stronger than any human, don’t need food or sleep or vacation time, or sick time... or pay increases.
When they get that good, I’ll buy one, but it won’t be in the next 10 years.
I buy a lot of salvaged cars
You are not wrong
At all
Why? Because wrecked cars bring enough at the salvage auction generally it’s cheaper to write off and sell than repair
So why do I buy so many? I buy the truly unrepairable and break for parts but I watch everything go through the sale
Hertz already is. With the expected results
We’re out there
We own (in my case owned) the competition. Back when I was younger with a pile of ford certs and my ase master with l1 and l2 no one wanted to pay me what I felt I was worth. I’m talking 12-14 a flat rate offers complete with 6 day work weeks and no real benifits (like working on my own car on my only day off)
So I opened my own shop.
Eventually I sold it to an employee
Said no used car salesman, ever!
I am sure that there will be improvements in AI, but I am not sure if this will result in similar advancements in robotics.
Thanks, Ben. My son manages an auto and tire business in Silicon Valley. This would be a HUGE hit with the demographics, income brackets and love of autos in our town.
I just sent this to him and said he should convince management to install it. It would be a big hit.
Great song.
Same happened to my husband. Now I’m his office manager after raising and homes chooling our 4 kids.
Our son plans to take over from us.
“I imagine in 5 -10 years they’ll have robots fixing cars.”
the more likely outcome and we are starting to see it now, cars will be disposable. They break down, they are replaced.
Or you won’t own them, only rent them. Then the manufacturer will control the whole repair process.
Rental car companies too. I just started buying their insurance. If its damaged, good think I got your insurance to use.
“Or you won’t own them, only rent them. Then the manufacturer will control the whole repair process.”
Or you just call them (the cars) when you need them. Which is already available in some cities.
The Brave New World is coming fast. You will own nothing... and be happy!
The price of new cars will end up making most driving one like that.
At least the maintenance will be cheaper.
The local Hyundai dealer has a scanner that analyzes your wheel alignment as you drive in the service bay.
.
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