Tyres checked in a jiffy, thanks to Al-powered system

SBS Transit among firms that tapped NTUC grant to raise productivity and redesign jobs

- Vanessa Paige Chelvan Correspondent

At Bedok North Bus Depot, technicians no longer find themselves under a bus, tools and torch in hand to check the condition of its tyres.

What was once time-consuming and physically demanding work can be done in minutes, thanks to an artificial intelligence-powered tyre management system installed in May 2023 and rolled out in November that year.

It used to take 30 to 40 minutes to check the six to eight tyres on each bus, said Mr Rajeshpal Singh, a technical officer at public bus operator SBS Transit, which operates the depot. Single-deck buses have six tyres, while double-deck buses have eight.

With the new system, tyres can be inspected automatically and a report on their condition generated in minutes.

Mr Singh, 39, was speaking to the media on Sept 12 during a visit to Seletar Bus Depot, where the new system will be rolled out by the end of 2025. The Ulu Pandan Bus Depot will also get this system by then.

Mr Jeffrey Sim, group chief executive of SBS Transit, said the new tyre management system has dramatically increased efficiency and productivity at the Bedok North depot.

It has also eased the load on technicians, who are responsible for the maintenance and repair of over 500 buses there. The company operates a total of 3,329 public buses.