AI drive-through car scanners arrive at repair shops

ktla ^ | 03/13/2026 | Rich Demuro

[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.

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TOPICS: Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: ai; automotive; scammers

[paulcissa]

Best use-case for AI in the automotive resell chain.

[Larry Lucido]

This one would likely break the scanner.

[cableguymn]

Yes hertz rental is using it with the expected results

[faithhopecharity]

I know my (really great) mechanic will cringe at this.
The last time the government demanded new, more “more intelligent” smog check machines it cost him $25,000

but yes, I’d sure like to see a demo what this new gizmo can do

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Of course, systems like this can also help service departments sell more repairs

Uh, yeah.

[Highest Authority]

Does the customer get a thumb drive with the analysis?

[algore]

there are a few companies who make drive through alignment scanners (Hunter) but these are not perfect cause if you do not drive perfectly straight they do not give good results.

I read about another system one of the Car Rental companies was using which like this one scanned the car and billed you for all kinds of damages you did not cause.

While I think the tech is cool and could be useful there are humans involved which guarantees stupid stuff will go wrong.

[Valpal1]

“Of course, systems like this can also help service departments sell more repairs.”

I don’t know about other shops, but I don’t need to sell more repairs. We’re scheduling 3 weeks out always.

We are bringing in a 17 yr old as a part time apprentice. I have two 30 year old mechanics that are skilled and and have what it takes to develop a solid institutional memory/knowledge base. I got a senior mechanic in his late fifties with prostate cancer and my senior mechanic/service writer is 62.

I don’t need more repair jobs, I need more fully developed mechanics.

[FrankRizzo890]

There are patents on using these to scan a crashed car to generate a repair estimate.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

I don’t know if anyone has filed an insurance claim lately but it is more than a surface scratch the insurance wants to give you KBB for it and total it.

[Antihero101607]

Probably not, but I’m willing to bet that any data about your car will be shared with a third party like CarFax. I started receiving emails from CarFax about the current status of my vehicle, estimated time to next oil change, tire rotation, etc, information that I don’t recall consenting to share. Not really happy about it, I would understand if the bank or lessor still owned the car, but it’s paid off, so it’s nobody’s business but my own.

[Raycpa]

Can’t wait for the rental car companies to begin using. /s

[Frank Drebin]

And of course questioning the ‘AI’ will be seen as heresy and proof that you are stupid or insane or both.

[Ezekiel]

“You’ll know it’s me when I come through your town.”

[Larry Lucido]

:)

[Cold Heart]

This scanning technology reminds me of the foot x-ray machines at shoe stores. A gimmick

[Organic Panic]

So... Scams backed up by bullcrap. Now every panicky driver who knows nothing about cars can be presented a scan down to the 2mm resolution showing endless “catastrophic” calamities that must be repaired immediately or the world will end. “It’s all right here on this report.”

And how many people will be scammed by car rental companies when they bill every ding over and over to every customer while they never repair the door dings?

[Valpal1]

If it also uses infared or thermal scanninng when a car comes in hot, it could tell you a lot without the mechanic having to wait for it to cool down to have a looksee. Way more comprehensive than a handheld heat probe.

Racing teams will want them for sure.

[aquila48]

“I don’t need more repair jobs, I need more fully developed mechanics.”

I imagine in 5 -10 years they’ll have robots fixing cars.