DeGould is launching a new AI-powered drive-through vehicle inspection system designed to improve damage detection, strengthen accountability and reduce costs across the finished vehicle logistics (FVL) supply chain.
The AutoCompact DriveThrough will extend the automated inspection capabilities already used in automotive manufacturing to key checkpoints between the factory and the end customer. These include ports, rail terminals, logistics compounds, vehicle processing centres and dealerships, where vehicle ownership or responsibility transfers between organisations.
Damage can occur at any stage of this journey, making it difficult for logistics providers to establish when and where defects arise. By introducing consistent, automated inspections at these handover points, the system aims to provide objective evidence of vehicle condition, helping organisations resolve liability disputes, accelerate repairs and improve handling practices.
“The launch of a drive-through vehicle inspection system enables OEMs and finished vehicle logistics companies to deploy our leading defect detection capabilities from assembly lines to dealer forecourts,” said Ben Boycott, CEO at DeGould.
“For the first time, they can apply the same world-leading inspection performance and quality trusted at EOL throughout the finished vehicle logistics chain, giving customers a consistent approach to vehicle inspection from the factory to the dealer.
AI, cameras and LiDAR combine for real-time inspection
The AutoCompact DriveThrough combines artificial intelligence (AI), advanced camera and lighting technologies, and light detection and ranging (LiDAR) to capture detailed digital records of a vehicle’s exterior condition. The system provides immediate inspection feedback, enabling users to identify damage at the point of transfer rather than discovering defects further along the supply chain.
Its compact footprint is designed to accommodate deployment across a range of logistics environments. A drive-through aperture supports vehicles of different shapes and sizes, from city cars and luxury saloons to light commercial vehicles.
The platform has also been engineered for rapid installation. Each system is assembled and tested at DeGould’s UK headquarters before being delivered to customers as a kit.
For outdoor installations, the company recommends deployment under cover to support optimum performance. A dedicated, round-the-clock customer support service is intended to minimise downtime through rapid technical assistance.
Connecting factory inspection with vehicle delivery
The new platform builds on DeGould’s AutoCompact Conveyor system, which performs end-of-line (EOL) inspections at automotive manufacturing facilities and is used by manufacturers including Toyota and Mercedes-Benz.
By extending the same inspection approach into finished vehicle logistics, DeGould aims to provide a consistent record of vehicle condition from production through to dealership delivery.
Integration of EOL inspection data, FVL inspections and the company’s DVM app will give original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) a consolidated view of quality-related costs across their global operations. This data can help identify recurring damage patterns, pinpoint stages where defects arise and target improvements to reduce avoidable expenditure.
“With pressures on margins, OEMs and logistics providers can benefit from having a clear view of costs, including where and how they occur, what trends are visible, and where the focus needs to be to capture the savings from detecting defects,” said Boycott. “DeGould’s suite of products provides all that is needed to improve bottom line performance.”
The AutoCompact DriveThrough is scheduled to launch, with customer demonstrations, in Q4 2026. First deliveries are planned for Q1 2027.
