Renting a Vehicle: Be Prepared For Unexpected Charges. The New AI-powered System Scans Vehicles For Damages, Especially During Returns

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Walking around the vehicle with the rental agent for a visual inspection will soon be a thing of the past once this technology is implemented nationwide.

Major rental car companies are implementing an AI-powered system to scan vehicles for damage, especially during returns, using a "tunnel" of cameras and sensors—no more scratches or dings.

The technology system developed by UVeye, an Israeli company, aims to improve damage assessment accuracy, according to their website.

Hertz and UVeye Partner to Modernize Vehicle Maintenance with AI Technology

Hertz is the first major rental car company to partner with UVeye to Modernize Vehicle Maintenance with AI Technology.

Starting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the first airport equipped with UVeye systems, Hertz and UVeye are now expanding their installations to major airport locations across the United States, with some locations already using it, according to reports from Car and Driver. The deployment is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

UVeye’s AI-powered camera systems and machine learning algorithms enable real-time, automated inspections of a vehicle’s body, glass, tires, and undercarriage.

With more than half a million vehicles around the globe, Hertz claims this system improves accuracy, transparency, and speed in damage assessment, potentially reducing disputes and speeding up the return process.

However, some customers have experienced unexpected charges for minor damages identified by the AI, leading to frustration and concerns about the fairness of the system. There are also concerns about the lack of human oversight in some cases, potentially leading to overcharging for minor or previously existing damage.

It is always advisable to take photos and videos of vehicles before renting them.

When it comes to major car rental chains at major airports, disputes over minor dings typically aren't an issue. This situation may be changing soon.

Expect this trend to spread to other rental companies. Enterprise, well-known for its thorough vehicle walk-around inspections to identify damages, is testing similar technology, and Avis has announced plans for trials.

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital | Share