Repairer ties in with university for AI research 

University of Portsmouth researchers are collaborating with accident repair group ABL 1 Touch to develop an AI-powered system aimed at streamlining vehicle damage assessments and repair scheduling.  

Supported by £560,000 in joint funding from Innovate UK, ABL 1 Touch, and the University, the project seeks to boost operational efficiency across the automotive repair sector. 

Over the next three years, the initiative will focus on creating a fully automated system capable of identifying collision damage and optimising repair processes. It will be led by Professor Mohammed Bader of the University’s AI and Data Science Centre (PAiDS), and is expected to set new benchmarks for technical innovation within the industry. 

Graham Roberts, Chief Commercial Officer at ABL 1 Touch, said: “We work in a fast-paced industry that is driven by substantially varying vehicle damage types from many sources. Therefore, it is paramount that we find new and innovative ways to identify, prioritise and schedule work into our sites. The need to generate scalable solutions that remove single-person dependencies and work on mass data learning protocols is something we embrace as a forward-thinking business. 

“We are extremely excited to be working with our successful associates to maximise the transfer of knowledge into our business and find practical solutions that will enhance our skilled workforce. The KTP process and support from Innovate UK are the driving factors which have enabled us to proceed to this stage and we look forward to seeing our partnership flourish with the University of Portsmouth in the coming years.” 

The research forms part of the University’s Knowledge Transfer Partnership Programme, highlighting the growing role of AI in shaping practical, scalable solutions for industry and contributing to a better tomorrow.