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It’s hard to keep up with rapidly expanding artificial intelligence features and uses. But Hertz rental cars are currently on top of the game. Vehicles are being sent through AI scanners to find damage. Minor scratches are costing drivers hundreds of dollars. 

Hertz sends rental cars through AI scanners to charge drivers for damages 

Because of Hertz, you could be on the hook for normal wear and tear on rental cars. Drivers are facing expensive charges, upwards of 300 dollars after returning their vehicles with minor dents and scratches. 

According to the NY Post, the company is using an artificial intelligence-powered scanner to find damage and quickly bill customers. For example, a man named Patrick rented a Volkswagen in Atlanta, Georgia. 

A few minutes after returning the vehicle, he was hit with a $440 bill. It was because the scanner found a one-inch scuff on one of the car’s wheels. The bill includes $250 for a repair, $120 for processing, and $65 for administration. 

He logged into the app and found photographic evidence of the scratch. Then he couldn’t connect with a human representative to discuss the matter. Phone calls led to robots and online systems featuring chatbots. 

Another driver discovered he was on the hook for a $195 ding after returning a car to the same location. Hertz defends its actions by saying most rental cars are returned without any damage. 

Hertz plans to have over 100 of these UVeye AI-powered scanners operating at United States airport locations by the end of the year. The system is also being used by General Motors to inspect cars at dealerships during service appointments.