Troy Webber, CEO and creator of the Yardsmart App and third generation owner of Chesterfield Auto Parts in Richmond, Virginia, owns and operates three auto recycling business locations, with 100 employees.
His family business is nearly 100 years old, so adapting to change and seeing the trends for his industry are key to success. The Yardsmart app was recognized as the Innovative Cloud Technology of the Year, by RVATech in Richmond, as the only cloud based app of its kind in the world.
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 to give them a better picture of what that looks like.
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. Currently, with what we know, the impact is limited, and I am certain that the best is yet to come!
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 community/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 of the fact that 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 in determining 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!
Fantastic insight for the industry at large, looking forward to more.
It’s very interesting how older companies strive to improve by using modern technology. That’s the way you stay successful for years to come. Great article!
It’s difficult to escape the influence of artificial intelligence these days…even at the junkyard!
Interesting article. Just goes to show you how A.I. is going to find its way into every industry.