Hertz is using AI scanners to automate and speed up rental car damage inspections, aiming to improve accuracy and efficiency. While most inspections show no billable damage, concerns have been raised after a customer was charged over $400 for a minor scuff detected by the AI, prompting Hertz to emphasize the technology’s overall reliability as it expands to more airports.
Hertz Car Rental is incorporating artificial intelligence technology into its vehicle inspection process. Instead of relying on human employees to manually check rental cars for damage upon return, Hertz is now using AI scanners. These scanners can quickly and accurately scan the entire vehicle for any dents, scuffs, or other damages, providing near-instant results.
The AI technology aims to streamline the inspection process, making it faster and potentially more objective than traditional methods. This innovation reflects the growing presence of AI across various industries, including car rental services. By automating damage detection, Hertz hopes to improve efficiency and reduce human error in assessing vehicle conditions.
However, the rollout of this technology has not been without controversy. A report from the news site The Drive highlighted a case in Atlanta where a customer was charged over $400 for a minor one-inch scuff detected by the AI scanner. This incident has raised concerns about the accuracy and fairness of AI-based damage assessments, especially when customers face significant charges for seemingly minor issues.
In response to such concerns, a Hertz spokesperson emphasized that the vast majority of vehicles scanned with the AI technology show no billable damage. According to the spokesperson, 97% of cars inspected using the AI system were found to be incident-free, suggesting that the technology is generally reliable and that most customers are not being unfairly charged.
Hertz has begun implementing this AI scanning technology at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and plans to expand its use to other major airports across the United States by the end of the year. This phased rollout indicates Hertz’s commitment to integrating AI into its operations while likely monitoring and addressing any challenges that arise during the transition.