Press and Media

11 September 2019

TÜV SÜD: Digital Vehicle Scan saves both time and Money

Assessment of the condition of vehicles during their collection and return is playing an increasingly important role as rising demand and frequency impact on the shared-mobility sector. Digital Vehicle Scan (DVS) records a vehicle's condition in only 30 seconds. For this purpose, up to 22 cameras scan the entire vehicle, including the underside, while it is driven through the system. DVS even measures tyre inflation pressure and tread depth. In addition, TÜV SÜD is developing automatic damage identification based on artificial intelligence. Through its commitment in this field, TÜV SÜD is emphasising its goal of being the number-one supplier of third-party vehicle assessments. DVS is just one of the topics addressed by TÜV SÜD at IAA 2019, held in Frankfurt am Main between 22 and 24 September. Further topics at TÜV SÜD's Stand E09 in Hall 4.1 include HAD, GMA, intermodal mobility, PhotoFairy 360° and Blue Button.

“Digital Vehicle Scan enables us to automate vehicle assessment. Scanning and documentation of vehicles becomes a fully digital process, allowing us to speed up the procedure significantly. The DVS system is in use 24/7”, says Patrick Fruth, CEO Division Mobility at TÜV SÜD. DVS customers include international logistics companies, car dealerships, rental car companies, car-sharing providers and used-car dealers. DVS keeps them permanently up to date about the precise conditions of the vehicles in their fleet while ensuring they have their costs in full view. “The system enables users to access the data of the vehicle fleet scanned in DVS at any time. With a secure cloud solution, all data and documents can be accessed directly from any workplace”, explains Patrick Fruth.

How does DVS work?
In automated vehicle collection and return, the vehicle is driven through the DVS box for the scan. Up to 22 high-performance cameras (or up to 36 in future) shoot detailed pictures while the vehicle moves through the box. The system transfers these pictures to the responsible sales or fleet-management functions directly and in real time via user-specific data connections. DVS also permits monitoring of wear-related data, e.g. tyre wear, and supports full cost control over each single vehicle. Using software developed for this purpose, the vehicle data can be saved, documented and supplied directly to employees through a variety of interfaces including both desktops and mobile devices such as smart phones. Fleet managers thus always have access to the latest vehicle data. They are informed about damages and can examine details. This considerably reduces the time needed for vehicle collections and returns. Extensive documentation in the vehicle file further serves as a basis for detailed and informative before/after comparisons. The DVS is suitable for almost all types of vehicles, from passenger cars to heavy trucks and double-decker coaches.

Managing remarketing processes quickly and easily
The Digital Vehicle Scan accelerates the entire remarketing process chain. The system enables the condition of used vehicles, such as lease returns, to be reported rapidly and in a standardised manner. As a result, even large volumes of vehicles can be reliably documented. The immediate online availability of the data is a further advantage which speeds up the remarketing process.

Artificial intelligence – helper of the future
To assess vehicles even faster and more efficiently in the future, TÜV SÜD is currently developing automatic damage assessment based on artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence identifies and categorises defects on the vehicle and helps motor vehicle inspectors to assess defects more effectively. The software specifically developed for this application significantly increases the quality and speed of assessments and thus considerably facilitates the work of both inspectors and assessors.

TÜV SÜD acquired 60 percent of the shares in Digital Vehicle Scan GmbH & Co. KG in June. The acquisition emphasises the technical service provider's goal of being market leader in fields such as vehicle assessment, remarketing and third-party fleet services.

Caption: 30 seconds is all it takes for the Digital Vehicle Scan (DVS) to assess a vehicle's condition.

Note for editorial staff: The photo is available for download at www.tuev-sued.de/iaa-press.

Further information is available at www.tuev-sued.de/iaa-press and www.digital-vehicle-scan.com.

Press-contact: Vincenzo Lucà