In part two of our series with Troy Webber, creator of the Yardsmart App and third-generation owner of Chesterfield Auto Parts in Richmond, Virginia, US, we discuss the future, limitations and the reality of how artificial intelligence may integrate with the auto recycling community worldwide.
In the recycling industry as a whole, artificial intelligence could help reduce or eliminate the human error factor.
When a scrap buyer is looking at material to purchase, they have to make a lot of assumptions about the material based only on what they can see. AI can help give them a better picture of exactly what they are looking at.
In the auto recycling industry, we could use AI to give us insight into the value of the commodities on the vehicles we purchase. AI would be able to tell me how much of which metals are in the vehicles and the current market value of those metals. However, much of the industry involves manual labor to process the materials, so there are limitations to the impacts it could have on the industry.
According to Webber:
What can AI or artificial intelligence mean, and how may it affect the auto recycling industry?
The implications of how AI or artificial intelligence may interact and affect the auto recycling industry can potentially point to increased efficiency in our industry, especially as it pertains to business operations.
Most pointedly, because AI can process and analyze much more data, exponentially faster than a human mind can, that efficiency component enables the operator to have more information about the products and commodities they are buying. This would allow more precise pricing and a reduction of loss from waste in the end game.
Will AI have a place in a new Yardsmart version?
If AI could tell me the precise amount of metals in each vehicle, the current market value of each of those commodities and how much fluff is in every car I buy, it would be a game changer for Yardsmart. We could use that information to impact our purchasing inventory. This, in turn, would reduce the amount of waste we generate at the end of our process.
How can you comment on allaying the fears of auto recyclers regarding AI?
Because auto recycling relies heavily on manual labor and a human’s ability to observe the actual products within cars, which process the parts we handle, that cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence. By providing increased amounts of data, AI can help us determine our needs in a certain aspect of recycling.
However, I don’t know how it could actually replace the critical thinking process a human mind engages in to make decisions.
What is your take on the AI influence on the industry, negative or positive?
I believe it is still too early to tell. If we can improve our processes with the help of AI, then it could help. What I don’t want to see is people in the industry relying too much on AI to make their decisions for them. If we allow artificial intelligence to start driving the cart, we will find ourselves behind the horse.
In the recycling industry as a whole, it could help reduce or eliminate the human error factor.
When a scrap buyer is looking at material to purchase, they have to make a lot of assumptions about the material based only on what they can see. AI can help to give them a better picture of exactly what they are looking at.
In the auto recycling industry, we could use AI to give us insight into the value of the commodities on the vehicles we purchase. AI would be able to tell me how much of which metals are in the vehicles and the current market value of those metals. However, much of the industry involves manual labor to process the materials, so there are limitations to the impacts it could have on the industry.
I am certain that the best is yet to come!
To find out more about Yardsmart, go to www.yardsmartapp.com
To read Troy’s previous article, go to Yardsmart: Revolutionizing Auto Recycling Operations with Cloud-Based Technology
