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The Development of the AUTO1 Car Audit Technology
29 November 2024
In September 2024, we announced the launch of the AUTO1 Car Audit Technology (AUTO1 CAT), our in-house AI-powered damage detection technology. With AUTO1 CAT, we're transforming vehicle inspections by automatically detecting around 90% of damages, such as dents and scratches. This seamless integration into our used car production process ensures that we deliver top-quality vehicles to our Autohero customers.
The launch marks a significant milestone for us not just because it represents a technological advancement but also because it celebrates the talented individuals who made it possible. “Our team, led by Dr. Masoud Samadi, has done an amazing job creating and improving our in-house damage detection technology," notes Szymon Pasko, VP Engineering Sourcing & Fulfillment.
The Vision Behind AUTO1 CAT
The development of AUTO1 CAT was driven by the need to address the challenges associated with manual vehicle inspections, which were often time-consuming and prone to human error. "Recognizing the need for greater efficiency and accuracy, we sought to leverage advanced AI and robotics to automate the inspection process," explains Dr. Masoud Samadi, Team Lead Robotics Engineer. "By developing AUTO1 CAT, we aimed to support our employees by reducing their workload and assisting them in performing their tasks more efficiently."
Masoud and his team were responsible for designing and integrating the system's hardware and software components from scratch. From coordinating research and development efforts to ensuring our AI models were trained on extensive datasets for accurate damage detection, they collaborated with other departments to seamlessly integrate AUTO1 CAT into our workflows.
The system minimizes tedious manual inspections, enhances operational efficiency and also improves customer satisfaction by providing consistent and precise assessments of vehicle conditions. “Ultimately, the goal is to transform our operations through innovation, maintaining AUTO1 Group’s leadership in the industry and delivering high-quality service to our customers,” Masoud says.
Innovative Solutions
The path from concept to implementation required overcoming challenges that required innovative solutions. One of the primary hurdles was ensuring the synchronization of the scanning device with moving vehicles. "Since cars drive through the scanner, we needed to accurately determine their position and speed to capture precise images at exactly the right moments,” explains Masoud. Our team developed sophisticated algorithms that could precisely time the image capture process.
Another significant task was achieving consistent and accurate damage detection across a variety of car models and conditions. Our team trained the AI on extensive and diverse datasets, enabling it to recognize damages accurately regardless of external factors. This rigorous training was complemented by designing specialized lighting systems and calibrating high-resolution cameras to ensure optimal image quality under varying conditions. To ensure the system's adaptability, we developed modular hardware and flexible software architectures that could be tailored to meet the unique requirements of different facilities.
Finally, integrating AUTO1 CAT seamlessly into existing workflows without causing disruptions was crucial. This required a collaborative effort across departments, involving thorough workflow analyses and pilot programs to ensure a smooth transition. "Minimizing false positives and negatives was essential to maintain trust in the system," Masoud shares. Rigorous testing, validation processes, and expert reviews were implemented to fine-tune the algorithms and ensure reliability.
The Reward of Innovation
For the team, witnessing AUTO1 CAT's tangible positive impact on both our employees and the company and contributing to an innovation that sets new standards in the industry has been gratifying. "It gives me a great sense of accomplishment knowing that our work is making a difference in the day-to-day experiences of our employees and ensuring customer satisfaction," Masoud reflects.
Szymon adds, “The team’s deep expertise and dedication to quick testing, learning, and adapting have brought about groundbreaking solutions, and I would like to thank the team for proving that agility and flexibility are achievable even with hardware. This is a major step forward in our journey to revolutionize the car buying and selling experience.”
As we continue to refine and expand AUTO1 CAT, we look forward to further transforming the automotive industry. We are very proud of our team's accomplishments and excited about the future possibilities this technology holds. Interested in joining our team? Discover the latest opportunities on our careers page. We welcome applicants of all genders, ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds to apply.