2025/12/02
-Easily visualize invisible parts of the vehicle and improve maintenance quality and customer satisfaction with image-based maintenance proposals
・Combining ADVICS' brake technology with SmartDrive's development technology will contribute to improving the work efficiency of auto mechanics and creating new sales opportunities
ADVICS CO., LTD.
SmartDrive Co., Ltd.
ADVICS CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, Director President: Akira Akiyama, hereinafter referred to as "ADVICS") and Smart Drive Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Retsu Kitagawa, hereinafter referred to as "Smart Drive") visualize the remaining amount of brake pads by diagnosing images with a dedicated handheld camera. We have jointly developed a service called "BRAKEPAD SCAN powered by ADVICS" that can provide reports based on objective evidence for car owners. We will start providing the service sequentially around February 2026. This service can be used in situations such as simple inspections that do not involve tire removal and confirmation at the time of pre-estimate before vehicle inspection, greatly reducing the burden on maintenance sites. It is not a subspar for disassembly and maintenance, but it is a powerful tool that aims to provide customers with careful maintenance explanations and improve service quality.
As a first user, we plan to sell and provide it to maintenance Plant, gas stations, and new and used car dealers.
1. Background and purpose of service development
Previously, when getting a quote before a vehicle inspection, it was often necessary to check whether brake pads needed to be replaced, which required work including tire removal and installation, and carefully explaining the evidence-based necessity of replacement to the customer required a great deal of time and effort.On the other hand, trying to avoid the hassle has led to issues at maintenance sites, such as missed opportunities to recommend replacement and oversight of inspections.
To solve this problem, we combined the technology of ADVICS, which has been developing and designing brake pads for many years, with the development capabilities of SmartDrive to create a service that makes the "invisible parts" of a vehicle visible at the stage of simple inspections and preliminary estimates, and allows us to make proposals to customers based on objective evidence.
2. Service Overview and Features
"BRAKEPAD SCAN powered by ADVICS" connects a dedicated handheld camera to a smartphone, takes a picture of the brake pads through the gap in the wheel, and then uses image analysis technology to quantify the remaining brake pad wear.
1. Reduced workload and improved work efficiency: Eliminating the need to remove and install tires reduces the physical burden on mechanics and improves work efficiency.
2) Standardizing maintenance quality: Maintenance quality is improved by utilizing image analysis technology to accurately determine the remaining amount of pads, rather than relying on experience or intuition.
3) Improving maintenance transparency by providing reports: By clearly indicating the remaining amount of brake pads based on evidence, customer satisfaction is improved. In addition, the condition of invisible parts such as cracks in the boots can be recorded in images, allowing explanations to be provided to customers using reports.
*Product images are from the prototype stage.
3. Future Developments
SmartDrive will position "BRAKEPAD SCAN powered by ADVICS" as part of its "SmartDrive ProAuto" service series for automotive industry professionals, which was announced on the same day as this release, and will roll out the service to repair Plant, gas stations, and car dealerships.
If you would like to see this product in person, please visit SmartDrive's exhibition booth at the 23rd International Auto Aftermarket, which will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from February 12th to 14th, 2026.
The two companies will continue to combine technologies that can be used to address various industry challenges and provide them as innovative services, thereby contributing to improving safety and efficiency throughout the automotive society.
[SmartDrive Services]
"The No. 1 vehicle management system that managers and drivers want to use" *Corporate vehicle management system "SmartDrive Fleet"
https://smartdrive.co.jp/fleet/
Cloud service that promotes digital transformation of vehicle-related documents "SmartDrive Box"
https://smartdrive.co.jp/fleet/lp/smartdrive-box/
Acquisition, accumulation and utilization of driving data "Mobility Data Platform"
https://smartdrive.co.jp/mobility-data-platform/
A community that transcends industry boundaries "Mobility Transformation"
https://www.mobility-transformation.com/
*Survey conducted by Japan Marketing Research Organization Survey summary: Brand image survey for the period ending May 2021
("SmartDrive," "SmartDrive Fleet," "SmartDrive Cars," "Mobility Data Platform," "Mobility Transformation," and "Vector G" are trademarks or registered trademarks of SmartDrive Corporation.)
■ Company Profile ADVICS CO., LTD.
Company name: ADVICS CO., LTD.
Established: July 2001
Director CEO: Akira Akiyama
Address: 2-1 Showa-cho, Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, 448-8688
URL: https://www.advics.co.jp/
■Company Profile SmartDrive Co., Ltd.
Company name: SmartDrive Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market: Stock code 5137)
Established: October 2013
Representative Director: Retsu Kitagawa
Address: Hibiya Park Front 19F, 2-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011
URL: https://smartdrive.co.jp/
-Contact for press inquiries regarding this matter-
ADVICS CO., LTD.
Kamiya, Corporate Planning Dept.
Email: kosuke_01_kamiya@mail.advics.co.jp
TEL: 050-5235-8590
SmartDrive Co., Ltd.
Marketing Department Public Relations Officer Sato
Email: pr@smartdrive.co.jp
TEL: 070-3250-4163