Automated Tire Unveils SmartBay Robot for On-Car Tire Changes

Tire shops traditionally rely on manual labor. Automated Tire Inc., a Boston-based robotics company, has introduced SmartBay, an AI-powered robotic platform for tire changes, wheel balancing and vehicle inspections at dealerships, tire shops and service centers.

The system uses physical AI, computer vision and machine learning to adapt to each vehicle in real time. Andy Chalofsky, CEO of Automated Tire Inc., called it "the next generation of the automotive service bay," a robotic-first setup for routine, physically demanding tasks.

"Rather than relying on a technician to manually remove the wheel, dismount the tire, balance it on traditional equipment, and reinstall everything, SmartBay performs the tire change and wheel balance itself with only light-touch oversight from an operator," Chalofsky said.

SmartBay changes tires without removing wheels from the vehicle. "SmartBay is the first patented system in the world that changes tires without removing the wheel from the vehicle. The car is lifted just as it would be on a conventional lift, but instead of taking off the lug nuts, disturbing the tire pressure monitoring system, and pulling the wheel, SmartBay dismounts the tire directly from the rim while the rim stays on the car," Chalofsky said.

It then applies ATI's Real Force Balance, which balances the entire wheel-end assembly, including rotating components in the wheel well. Chalofsky said this provides "the most complete and accurate balance available on the market today."

Repair shops face technician shortages, and electric vehicles increase tire service demand due to faster wear. Chalofsky noted that tire appointments can back up quickly. "Anyone who has spent time in a tire shop knows how quickly a busy day can fall apart: a technician calls in sick, the first car of the morning takes longer than expected, and the appointments stacked behind it back up the entire schedule," he said.

One technician can manage up to three SmartBay-equipped bays. The system fits standard 12-foot bays without major changes. Initial machines target 45-minute door-to-door changes for four tires; that could drop to 30 minutes as it learns.

SmartBay adapts to varied vehicles, road grime and conditions using a self-learning AI layer that processes hundreds of data points per vehicle in real time. Chalofsky said a single technician can run two or three units, processing about 24 tires an hour versus four tires in 75 minutes today.

EVs accelerate tire wear due to weight and instant torque. "EVs are reshaping the tire economy. Because of their weight and instant torque, EV tires wear faster and need to be replaced more often," Chalofsky said. Tires have become "the single largest lifetime maintenance expense on most EVs."

The system works across vehicles like Teslas, F-150s and Chevy Silverados. Chalofsky said SmartBay mostly changes technicians' work rather than replacing them. It boosts throughput for lower-skilled operators, allowing higher pay, and frees skilled mechanics for diagnostics.

"Every wave of automation we've seen in adjacent industries has played out the same way: technology augments the workforce far more than it replaces it, and that's the dynamic we expect here," Chalofsky said.

SmartBay reduces injury risks by eliminating heavy wheel lifting. "Because SmartBay leaves the rim on the vehicle, technicians are no longer lifting heavy, expensive wheel assemblies on and off mounting machines. This eliminates one of the most common sources of strain injuries and workers' compensation claims in tire work," he said.

Sensors ensure safe operation around people. Networked units share data, such as from a new F-150 trim in California, to improve systems elsewhere in near real time.

Drivers may notice faster, consistent service and better rides from full-assembly balancing plus automated inspections. Chalofsky, a fourth-generation tire entrepreneur and SimpleTire founder, said tires suit automation: frequent service, high value, physical demands and labor shortages.