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NEWS Are Collision Repairers Ready to Embrace the Benefits of AI AND AR TECHNOLOGIES? In recent years, insurers and vehicle manufacturers have implemented the use of various technologies in their processes, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR), yet more often than not, technological advances tend to create more work for collision repairers, leaving shops behind. But what if those same technologies could be repurposed to benefit repairers? Pete Tagliapietra, managing director of Data Touch LLC, and Frank Terlep, CEO of AutoTechcelerators, shared some insights with Hammer & Dolly on how AI and AR are currently used, how they might benefit collision shops and how repairers can prepare for the technology they’re likely to see in the near future. OEMs utilize AI to streamline workflows, identify possible defects and improve quality control, while insurance companies use AI to automate the claims process and are diligently pursuing “no touch” auto claims through photo estimating. “AI already allows insurers to identify a total loss much earlier in the cycle, often before an estimate is even written,” Tagliapietra explains. “AI also allows them to better analyze the estimate data to more effectively manage indemnity by enhancing their ability to evaluate repair shop performance and compare them. Information providers are also offering AI technology to write estimates, and once the technology is perfected, there will be huge efficiency gains from their efforts.” Tagliapietra believes that AI could prove to be an asset to the collision repair community moving forward. “In today’s world, February 2022 20
none of the OEM repair information options bring everything you need together immediately. Imagine using digital images of a damaged vehicle to immediately generate a list of all necessary repair procedures, pre- and post-repair scans, calibrations, ADAS information and OEM position statements – before you even write your first estimate.” In the future, it will be possible to take photos of the visual damages of the vehicle to include the exterior, undercarriage and under the hood, and then use machine learning to generate the related OEM repair procedures, including which calibrations are needed and which procedures need to be performed for safety reasons, Tagliapietra predicts. AI adoption would allow body shops to increase productivity by improving cycle times, minimizing manual tasks and creating more value for consumers who prefer automation. “In an industry where we contend with so much information on a daily basis, it’s nearly impossible to keep everything we need on our bookshelves, yet we need real-time access to that information. AI will be able to help shops deal with these challenges by identifying exactly which repairs are needed and provide everything needed for that specific job to allow for a more comprehensive estimate.” Tagliapietra also suggests that AI can be used to provide better search and procurement parameters for parts, identify which operations are typically paid for and even provide prevailing competitive rates within a given market. “Machine learning will
