Volvo Creates Vehicle Inspection Bot That Can Examine A Car In Seconds

Volvo Car USA announced that it is rolling out a new program to equip U.S. retailers with a contraption that will be capable of inspecting a vehicle in for service in seconds. Able to check tires, underbodies, and vehicle exteriors, the technology will facilitate service calls and speed up vehicle trade-ins.

The technology was developed in partnership with UVeye and utilizes artificial intelligence and machine-learning technology. It will first be launched at select Volvo dealers on the east coast and the company hopes that all of its more than 280 dealers will eventually install the technology, which comes in three basic parts.

The whole thing is made up of a system called Helios, an underbody scanner that can detect frame damage, oil leaks, and more; Artemis, a tire system that makes sure that all wheels match, finds sidewall damage, measured tread depth, and more; and Atlas, which provides a 360-degree scan of the exterior of the vehicle and detects dents, scratches, rust, and more.

Volvo predicts that the technology will be useful for three main purposes. To begin with, it will simply help service technicians perform inspections faster. Second, it will create a digital “vehicle health” report with photos that can be shared with customers. And finally, it will help convince Volvo owners that their cars are as safe as they can possibly be.

“An automated system can help resolve problems,” Bryant says. “It shows the vehicle’s actual condition. The result is that customers will be able to see flaws such as a rusty tailpipe that they didn’t know about. And they’ll also know the retailer is being upfront with them.”

That will also help the dealer during trade-ins, showing an owner exactly what kind of condition their vehicle is. Vehicle owners “often think their trade-ins are in better condition than they really are,” says Volvo.

“Volvo Cars and its retailers are clearly interested in capabilities and technology that add up to better service for their customers,” said David Oren, UVeye’s chief strategy officer. “Volvo Cars stands out for its commitment to safety and its strong engagement with customers.”