A new AI-powered robot promises to transform one of America's grubbiest jobs: tire changing. Automated Tire Inc. has introduced SmartBay, a system that can inspect vehicles, swap tires, and balance wheels with minimal human intervention, the company announced. The innovation arrives as tire service demand surges, partly because electric vehicles require more frequent replacement, while shops struggle to find technicians.
SmartBay adapts to each vehicle using AI rather than fixed routines, collecting and analyzing data as it works. That information can generate real-time insights shared across ATI's customer network, which includes dealerships and auto service shops. While traditional tire service takes about 75 minutes, the robot can complete the job in as little as 30 minutes.
The system fits a standard 12-foot service bay and enables a single technician to manage up to three bays simultaneously. Andy Chalofsky, a fourth-generation tire entrepreneur, leads the company. "Automation is the answer," he said, noting that changing tires is noisy, back-breaking work that nobody wants to endure for half a day.
For service shops, the technology offers a path to address chronic labor shortages and boost throughput. Customers could see faster wait times for rotations and replacements. However, the upfront cost of installing such systems may be prohibitive for smaller independent shops.
Critics might question whether the robot can handle the diversity of vehicle models and tire conditions encountered in real-world shops. The claim of 30-minute service also assumes ideal conditions, which may not reflect peak-hour chaos or older, corroded vehicles.