The AVI technology not only speeds up the inspection process but also provides valuable data that can inform wider company decisions. For instance, if vehicles on certain routes consistently show damage, Amazon could alert the city about necessary road repairs. The company also plans to use the data to guide vehicle purchases and provide feedback to manufacturers. Despite its benefits, the technology is not perfect and occasionally mislabels normal features as damage. However, this feedback is used to improve the inspection algorithms for future vehicles.
Key takeaways:
- Amazon is implementing an artificial intelligence-powered technology called AVI (automated vehicle inspection) to inspect its delivery vans for damage or wear. The technology is being installed at hundreds of its distribution centers worldwide.
- The AVI technology, made by startup UVeye, uses three separate high-resolution camera systems to scan the vehicle’s undercarriage, check tire quality, and focus on the vehicle exterior. The data is compiled into a 3D image and used by machine-learning software to identify any damage or maintenance needs.
- Amazon has been testing the automated vehicle inspection system for nearly two years and has now rolled it out to 20 delivery stations in the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK. The goal is to install hundreds of units in the next few years.
- The data from the AVI technology can be used to inform wider company decisions, such as identifying consistent patterns of damage on certain routes or roads, guiding vehicle purchases, and providing terrain-specific feedback to manufacturers.