No Scratch or Ding Gets Past Hertz’s AI-Enhanced Tunnel for Your Rental | Carscoops

      Hertz will implement AI-driven scanners from UVeye for its airport vehicle rentals, enabling quicker and more precise inspections.

      As of April 19, 2025, Hertz plans to replace manual inspections at its car rental stations in US airports with this technology. UVeye's system utilizes cameras and sensors to scan vehicles in just seconds. The initiative aims to reduce costs, identify unnoticed damage, and enhance fleet maintenance.

      Casual travelers in the United States renting cars from airports will soon experience a new inspection process when collecting or returning their vehicles. Hertz has partnered with the Israeli tech company UVeye to install advanced vehicle scanners at key airport sites nationwide, starting with Atlanta.

      UVeye's AI-based vehicle inspection systems are already in use at numerous dealerships across the US, assisting in faster and more efficient inspections of customer vehicles. These tunnel-like scanners, which include integrated lighting, cameras, and sensors, will take the place of the tedious manual inspections traditionally performed by Hertz during vehicle returns.

      Speed and Precision in Vehicle Inspections

      Referred to as the “MRI for vehicles,” this system is praised for its exceptional speed and accuracy in identifying mechanical and cosmetic problems. The scanners assess the vehicle’s body, glass, undercarriage, and tires in just seconds, with the collected digital data being compared to the vehicle's original condition report to spot any discrepancies.

      Hertz asserts that the system will "improve the frequency, accuracy, and efficiency" of its vehicle maintenance. However, a primary benefit for the rental company may be ensuring that customers are held responsible for damage that could be missed during a manual inspection. This is particularly significant at airport locations where prior evaluations were sometimes inadequate, allowing minor dents and scratches to go unnoticed.

      Hertz intends to deploy over 100 UVeye systems at its major US airport locations by the end of the year, with the first scanner already set up at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia.

      Upon returning a vehicle, customers will receive a detailed inspection report directly to their smartphones. This process eliminates the need for pick-up photos and enhances transparency throughout. Additionally, UVeye’s tire treadwear system will notify staff when tire replacements are necessary by detecting irregular wear and possible defects.

      Hertz, which boasts a fleet of over half a million vehicles globally, considers maintenance a "critical priority." By adopting AI scanning technology, the company aims to boost efficiency, conserve resources over time, and potentially increase revenue. It is worth noting that Hertz faced a $2.9 billion loss in 2024, mainly due to the depreciation of its electric vehicle fleet.

      In addition to Hertz, other significant rental car companies like Enterprise and Avis are exploring the implementation of similar scanning technologies in the near future.

      Will It Scan Your Wallet Too?

      While Hertz prioritizes efficiency, it also stresses the importance of "transparency for customers." What does this entail? We will have to observe its implementation, but if Hertz uses these scanners to identify every minor scratch and dent, customers may find themselves liable for damages they weren't even aware of.

      Those small scratches on the rear bumper that you scarcely noticed? These AI systems are likely to pinpoint them, helping to enhance Hertz’s profits while leaving customers with lighter wallets. This is advantageous for the company, but less favorable for travelers who might feel continuously monitored by a robotic overseer.