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“They Built an MRI for Cars—Now the Auto Industry Will Never Be the Same”

In an age when artificial intelligence diagnoses diseases and predicts traffic, it was only a matter of time before the automotive world got its own digital doctor. Enter UVeye, the AI-powered system now being hailed as the “MRI for vehicles.” Developed by two Israeli brothers, this groundbreaking platform is transforming how we inspect, service, and evaluate cars — from dealership service bays to airport rental lots.

Origins & Evolution: From Homeland Security to High-Tech Auto Inspections

UVeye was founded in 2016 by brothers Amir and Ohad Hever in Tel Aviv, Israel. Initially conceived as a counter-terrorism tool, UVeye’s first prototypes were designed for use at border checkpoints and government facilities. The goal? Automatically scan the underside of vehicles to detect hidden explosives, weapons, or contraband — without requiring mirrors, manual labor, or dogs.

But shortly after launch, Amir — a veteran of computer vision and AI startups — saw the commercial potential. Why stop at bomb detection? The very same high-resolution imaging and artificial intelligence technology could be used to detect vehicle damage, tire defects, and mechanical leaks in a matter of seconds.

“After being manually inspected under a vehicle at a checkpoint, I realized there had to be a better way,” said Amir Hever, UVeye’s co-founder and CEO.

Their innovation quickly pivoted from the battlefield to the boulevard.

The Founders: Amir and Ohad Hever

Amir Hever, UVeye’s CEO, is the visionary technologist behind the idea. With a background in computer vision, Amir previously worked at Visualead, a mobile visual search company acquired by Alibaba, and held development roles in performance optimization and AI startups. His leadership has earned him accolades, including AutoTech CEO of the Year in 2022.

Ohad Hever, UVeye’s COO, brings the engineering muscle. A hardware expert by training, Ohad led R&D teams in Israel’s tech sector, including at Gamida, where he helped map cardiac rhythms — ironically predicting how AI could help “diagnose” both hearts and machines.

Together, they’ve turned UVeye into one of Israel’s fastest-scaling auto-tech exports.

How the Technology Works

UVeye systems are typically installed as archways or gantries in service centers, dealership lanes, or fleet yards. As a car drives through, it is scanned from multiple angles using high-definition cameras and advanced lighting.

UVeye’s proprietary AI then processes high-resolution image sets in just 20–30 seconds, analyzing:

Undercarriage defects (oil leaks, rust, structural damage)
Tire tread depth and wear
Exterior body damage (scratches, dents, chips)
License plate integrity
Alignment issues and wheel anomalies

The system automatically generates a full condition report and delivers it to the service manager or customer via text, email, or on-screen display. The inspection is contactless, fast, and accurate — eliminating human bias and drastically reducing turnaround time.

The AI Modules

UVeye currently offers three primary scanning modules:

Helios – Underbody detection
Atlas – 360-degree body inspection
Artemis – Tire analysis

Future development includes interior inspection tools, integration with vehicle telematics, and predictive diagnostics using machine learning models trained on millions of vehicle scans.

Real-World Use Cases: From Dealerships to Airports

UVeye’s technology has already been deployed across a growing number of automotive and fleet locations across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Key use cases include:

Dealerships

Chevrolet, Volvo, and BMW dealers now offer UVeye inspections during every service visit. A dealership in Orlando, Florida reported a scan identifying 76 different issues on a customer’s vehicle in under 30 seconds — many of which were invisible to the naked eye.

Dealers say the system increases repair order values and customer satisfaction by catching problems early and providing objective visual proof.

Rental Car Fleets

Hertz, one of America’s largest car rental agencies, is rolling out UVeye systems at major U.S. airports — beginning with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The goal: eliminate disputes over pre-existing damage and automate vehicle intake and return processing.

Commercial Fleets

Delivery fleets, car auctions, insurance yards, and even OEM assembly plants are integrating UVeye into their logistics chains to ensure quality, reduce liability, and improve operational efficiency.

Strategic Partners & Investors

UVeye’s client and investor list reads like a who’s who of the global automotive industry:

General Motors
Volvo Group
Toyota Tsusho
Hyundai Motor Co.
CarMax
Fletcher Jones Motorcars
Amazon fleet contractors

In early 2025, UVeye raised a major funding round of $191 million, bringing its total funding to over $380 million. The capital is being used to scale production, enter new markets, and expand R&D teams in Israel and the U.S.

By the Numbers

Founded: 2016
Headquarters: Tel Aviv, Israel (with U.S. offices in New Jersey and Ohio)
Funding: $380+ million
Employees: Over 250
Installations: Hundreds of global sites
Scans Per Month: Over 1 million
Average Inspection Time: 20–30 seconds

Benefits: Why UVeye Matters

Speed – Replaces long manual inspections with 30-second scans
Accuracy – Detects more issues than humans and eliminates subjectivity
Documentation – Creates a digital “paper trail” of each inspection
Upsell Potential – Helps dealerships identify repair needs with proof
Fleet Optimization – Tracks wear patterns and predicts breakdowns

Challenges and Criticism

Despite UVeye’s advantages, concerns remain.

Cost Barriers

UVeye systems can cost upwards of $5,000 per month to operate, pricing out smaller shops.

Over-Surveillance?

Some customers worry about being unfairly charged for minor blemishes when rental companies use AI to assess damage.

Internal vs. External

UVeye cannot yet assess internal systems like the engine, electronics, or software errors. Its scans are powerful, but strictly visual.

Global Expansion Plans

With high demand across markets, UVeye is expanding its reach to:

European car rental and dealership networks
India and Asia, where service standardization is in demand
Seaport inspections
Predictive fleet analytics through AI and telematics

Amir Hever has hinted at future UVeye locations in gas stations, car washes, and even direct-to-consumer apps.

Customer Experiences

“It Found What My Mechanic Missed”

A customer in Nashville was shocked when UVeye found a worn tire and oil leak — both missed during her recent manual inspection.

“Zero Disputes Now”

At Hertz Atlanta, staff say damage disputes have dropped by over 80 percent thanks to UVeye’s objectivity and high-resolution photo records.

Conclusion: The Future of Car Care is Automated

UVeye’s journey from Israeli security startup to global automotive disruptor is a testament to visionary leadership and timely innovation. By combining AI, high-speed imaging, and real-world need, it’s building a new standard for transparency and trust in the auto world.

Just as MRIs changed how doctors see inside the human body, UVeye is changing how the auto industry sees its own machines. Fast, accurate, and scalable, it’s setting the tone for the next generation of automotive service — one scan at a time.