PUSPAKOM Uses AI to Cut Undercarriage Checks From 10 Minutes to About One

PUSPAKOM is bringing artificial intelligence directly into the vehicle inspection lane, with a new AI-assisted system designed to analyse the underside of heavy commercial vehicles.

Showcased during Jelajah Malaysia Digital 2026 in Damansara Damai, the system can reduce the undercarriage inspection stage from around 10 minutes to about one minute, according to PUSPAKOM. That represents a time reduction of nearly 90 per cent for this part of the inspection process.

PUSPAKOM's AI-assisted system analyses high-definition images of a vehicle's undercarriage to identify potential defects and safety concerns.

AI finds the anomaly, a human examiner makes the call

Developed with Malaysian technology company Keymag Sdn Bhd, the system uses intelligent image analysis to detect vehicle components and flag possible defects.

PUSPAKOM says it can identify issues including corrosion, oil leaks, brake-system faults, axle defects and structural damage. Instead of replacing the inspection process, AI effectively provides an additional layer of screening by highlighting areas that may require closer attention.

Crucially, the system does not decide whether a vehicle passes or fails its statutory inspection.

That responsibility remains with PUSPAKOM's trained Vehicle Examiners. AI serves as a decision-support tool, with potential anomalies verified by a human examiner before any final decision is made.

The system also creates digital inspection records, giving PUSPAKOM a clearer trail for objective verification if an inspection finding is later disputed.

Heavy commercial vehicles are first

The technology is currently deployed through PUSPAKOM's Mobile Truck Service for heavy commercial vehicles.

PUSPAKOM CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman said reducing an undercarriage check from roughly 10 minutes to around one minute could increase inspection capacity while reducing the amount of productive time commercial vehicle operators lose during inspections.

For logistics and fleet operators, that operational argument may ultimately matter more than the AI label itself. A shorter inspection stage potentially means more vehicles can be processed within the same operating window, provided consistency and inspection integrity are maintained.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo witnesses a demonstration of PUSPAKOM's AI-assisted undercarriage inspection technology at Jelajah Malaysia Digital 2026.

ASTRA and AI tyre inspections are next

PUSPAKOM's AI roadmap extends beyond the underside of a vehicle.

The company is working with Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia on ASTRA, an above-carriage inspection solution. AI-assisted tyre inspection capabilities are also planned as part of the wider move towards intelligent vehicle inspections.

PUSPAKOM says these technologies will be introduced in stages over the next 24 months.

PUSPAKOM CEO Mahmood Razak Bahman discusses how AI is being introduced into vehicle inspection in Malaysia.

AI is not replacing the vehicle examiner

The more significant part of PUSPAKOM's approach is arguably the division of responsibility between software and people.

AI can rapidly analyse images and point an examiner towards something unusual, but the trained examiner remains responsible for determining whether that issue actually affects roadworthiness and for making the final statutory decision.

PUSPAKOM describes itself as the first vehicle inspection organisation in Malaysia to deploy AI-assisted undercarriage inspection technology and among the earlier organisations globally to use AI in statutory commercial vehicle inspections. Those leadership claims come from PUSPAKOM itself, so the longer-term measure will be how the system performs as deployment expands.

Move Auto's Take

Turning a 10-minute task into roughly one minute makes a strong headline, but the more meaningful change is the combination of speed, repeatability and digital records. Keeping a trained examiner in charge of the final decision is also important. The real test will come as PUSPAKOM expands the technology: whether it can maintain consistent results at scale and whether the digital trail genuinely makes disputed inspection findings easier to verify.

For more automotive technology, industry news and motoring developments from Malaysia, keep following Move Auto.

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