Startup Partly Innovates with AI to Streamline Auto Repairs
Partly, a new tech startup, is making waves in the automotive repair industry with its innovative app designed for mechanics. This application allows mechanics working in repair shops to easily take a photo of a damaged vehicle using their smartphones. Thanks to the app’s built-in AI, known as “Interpreter,” users can evaluate the extent of the damage and determine whether it’s worth fixing. Additionally, it can identify which parts are damaged and help find replacements.
While the idea of snapping a picture of a car part and having AI identify it may seem straightforward, the reality is much more complex. According to Partly’s founder, Levi Fawcett, the automotive market features a countless array of car makes and models, each with thousands of parts. This results in approximately four billion combinations of parts that can be sourced when trying to find the right replacements. Traditionally, this has involved a cumbersome mix of phone calls, faxes, and spreadsheets.
Fawcett emphasizes that as vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, repairs have also grown more complicated. He notes that cars today are about four times more expensive to repair than they were a century ago, despite being significantly cheaper to manufacture.
To address these challenges, Fawcett enlisted a team of data scientists to enhance the efficiency of matching parts. Over the last five years, they have trained the Interpreter AI to accurately recognize parts and suggest optimal options for a diverse clientele, which includes parts manufacturers, wholesalers, and collision repair shops. In a low-margin industry, Partly’s AI offers a way to boost profits by expediting repair decisions and eliminating time-consuming tasks.
Recently, Partly secured $50 million in funding and currently serves over 1,000 customers, with the United Kingdom being its largest market, followed by New Zealand and the United States. While the company is not yet consistently profitable, it has experienced profitable months and is prioritizing growth.
The latest round of funding, a Series B raise led by DST Global, will focus on further training the AI and expanding into the U.S. market, where a new office was opened in Austin, Texas. Fawcett is optimistic that the U.S. will soon surpass other markets as the largest for Partly.
To support its growth, Partly plans to hire at least 60 more employees, many of whom will be based in Christchurch, where the company is headquartered. Fawcett explains that a significant portion of their team has been recruited from overseas to meet the high demand for talent.
Fawcett, who previously worked as a navigation and control engineer at Rocket Lab, founded Partly in 2020. His experience with an online marketplace helped him identify the issues people face when sourcing car parts. His former boss, Sir Peter Beck, has also played a supportive role in Partly’s foundation.
As for the future, Fawcett recognizes that competition is rising. Several new startups are entering the market with similar offerings. However, Partly’s specialized AI model claims to be significantly more accurate than general-purpose models and continues to train its technology to provide superior service.
In a passionate pursuit of making automotive repairs accessible and efficient, Fawcett hopes that one day, anyone will be able to fix anything—an ambitious goal that underlines Partly’s mission.
