Automotive: an application to detect the origin of breakdowns using noise

This morning, an innovation that would be very useful when buying a used car.

It is an application capable of detecting mechanical problems just by listening to the car.

It's a kind of "Mechanic's Shazam", the famous application that gives the title of a song, after listening to three notes.

It works the same way.

You pick up your phone.

You make him listen to the engine.

And it will detect a problem with the spark plugs or valves.

While driving, he will hear the problems of power steering, clutch, air conditioning or brakes.

Just like some capable experts, just by ear, he'll be able to give you a full diagnosis.

This is serious ?

Does it really work?

It is Skoda, the manufacturer, who developed the application.

It has just deployed it in several of its dealerships.

So it is not available to the general public.

For the moment, it is reserved for professionals.

They use it during revisions and to assist the mechanics.

We imagine that it works.

Otherwise, they would shoot themselves in the foot.

In fact, the program compares the noise of the car to the reference noise of the same healthy model.

It would thus be able to detect problems in ten categories, in a few seconds.

Could there eventually be a consumer version?

Yes, this is the next step.

This will allow you to anticipate breakdowns and make an appointment directly with the garage.

With the development of artificial intelligence, we should see a lot of similar applications land.

So we could soon have our little pocket expert.

And avoid getting ripped off when buying a used car.