TraXtion launched TireSpec, an artificial intelligence-powered website and smartphone solution available to dealerships, tire retailers and automotive repair facilities that works without need of additional hardware.

TireSpec enables tire shoppers to transform a simple smartphone photo into an instant replacement tire quote without downloading an application, manually entering tire information, or leaving the business' website.

Embedded directly into an existing automotive retailer’s website, TireSpec enables consumers to simply tap a button, photograph their tires with their smartphones, and receive replacement tire recommendations and pricing in seconds.

The resource can be accessed anywhere on an existing website on both mobile devices and desktops via QR code scanning or by clicking a button. There is no app to download, no tire size to manually enter, and no need to know the vehicle's trim level, VIN, or tire specifications.

More than 90% of consumers now start their tire -shopping journeys online, and mobile devices have become the primary tool for researching prices, comparing brands, and deciding where to buy, TraXtion said. Yet despite the digital shift, most dealership and repair facility websites still rely on outdated tire search tools that require customers to manually enter tire sizes, vehicle information or other technical details that many vehicle owners don't know.

TireSpec was built to eliminate the friction that comes from the frustration consumers feel when they navigate additional clicks, form fields or confusing menu options, which TraXtion says increases the likelihood that shoppers abandon the process entirely.

Using advanced artificial intelligence, computer vision, and a proprietary optical character recognition, the TireSpec website widget reads the tire sidewall directly from a smartphone photo and instantly identifies the tire specifications needed to generate accurate replacement recommendations and pricing.

“Dealerships, tire retailers and facilities spend thousands of dollars every month driving consumers to their websites through search, advertising and digital marketing,” said company President and CEO Brad Kokesh.

“TireSpec helps them capitalize on that investment by removing the biggest obstacle in online tire shopping. Instead of asking customers to figure out their year, make, model and tire size, we simply ask them to take a picture. Within seconds they’re viewing replacement options and pricing, all without leaving the website. It’s as easy as point, snap, quote.”

Unlike traditional online tire search tools, TireSpec makes the tire the search engine. Consumers no longer need to decipher sidewall markings, search multiple menus or enter confusing alphanumeric tire sizes. Instead, a single image becomes the starting point for the entire purchasing process.

“For years, the automotive industry has focused on improving how we sell vehicles online, while one of the most common service purchases and retention drivers has remained unnecessarily difficult,” Kokesh said. “TireSpec changes that. We created a solution that removes friction from the tire buying process, keeps consumers engaged on the dealership or repair facility’s website, and turns a simple smartphone photo into an opportunity to earn or retain a customer’s business.”

The technology behind TireSpec is the subject of two U.S. patent-pending applications covering key elements of its AI-driven workflow, image-capture process, and consumer tire-identification experience. To learn more or to get TireSpec, visit www.traxtion.com. 

Benefits of TireSpec    

• Embeds directly into dealership and repair facility websites, no new hardware needed
• No mobile app or software download required
• AI-powered tire sidewall recognition using a smartphone camera
• Automatically identifies tire make, model, size, and other key sidewall information      
• Integrates with leading tire distribution and inventory software platforms for real-time inventory, pricing, and product availability
• Generates instant replacement single or multi-tire comparisons
• Eliminates manual tire size entry
• Mobile-first experience designed for today's consumers
• Keeps shoppers on the dealership, tire retailer or repair facility website
• Reduces website abandonment during the tire buying process
• Converts website traffic into qualified tire sales opportunities and service appointments