When most of the automotive industry was just beginning to whisper about AI, we were already building… experimenting… iterating…
At AutoShop Answers and the Houston Boston Partnership, we aren’t just talking about the future—we’re building it. Right now. With real shops, real technology, and real results.
While others are still debating whether artificial intelligence will take jobs away, we’re using it to create better ones. Our mission is not to replace humans—it’s to enhance every position, speed up service, eliminate inefficiencies, and elevate the entire guest experience to what we call Auto Hospitality™.
AIX: The Intelligence Behind It All
Working with industry visionary Michael Floyd and our dedicated development team, we’ve launched AutoShop AIX, our custom‑built AI integration platform that connects every critical touchpoint across our network. This is not plug‑and‑play software. This is purpose‑built intelligence developed with the industry’s best—including Tekmetric, WickedFile, Rilla, and our new ERP backbone: NetSuite.
With AIX we’re making a bold bet: being the most AI‑forward, AI‑native shop in the world will help us lead from the front. AI is a moving target—new tools and models launch every day—and we commit to staying at the bleeding edge, bringing the most impactful technologies into the shops in our ecosystem.
The Platform in Action
Imagine pulling out your phone, shooting a 30‑second under‑hood video, and—before you even set the phone down—AIX trims the clip, adds captions, and texts it to the customer with a clear repair note. Tap once more and AIX narrates the vehicle’s entire maintenance history in your voice. That’s what the platform already does.
Our AI engineers and shop veterans keep a running list of every repetitive chore that steals time from guests or compromises repair quality. If the payoff makes sense, we automate it today; if the tech isn’t quite ready, we track it until it is. Month after month, more of those “someday” ideas become real‑world features.
The AIX Portal: Your Roadmap to Auto Hospitality
The AIX Portal gives every shop owner a clear, visual roadmap toward becoming an Auto Hospitality powerhouse—and surrounds them with the tools, support, and community needed to make the climb. Think of it like a coach moving an athlete from amateur to pro: daily training plans, nutrition guidance, accountability partners. Success still demands hard work and discipline, but the Portal turns the impossible into the achievable by laying out each step and offering support.
Built on our key‑to‑key‑to‑callbacks operating model, the Portal helps owners:
- Identify today’s bottlenecks and tomorrow’s opportunities
- Track progress against milestones and benchmarks
- Access AI‑powered playbooks, managed services, and expert coaching
We track hundreds of milestones—from straightforward wins like always saying “yes” on the phone, to tougher achievements such as opening seven days a week, ensuring every customer receives a next‑day thank‑you call, and staffing exclusively with A‑players.
Where we’re headed next: we’re layering in deeper integrations to make the Portal the industry’s one‑stop shop:
- Live daily P&Ls
- Automated month‑end reconciliations (done by the 3rd)
- Unit‑ and individual‑level performance dashboards through integrations with coaching platforms such as Rilla
- Always‑on AI coaching and managed‑services offload
Whether you operate a single store or a fifty‑store platform, the Portal lights the path and supplies the fuel.
Scaling Through AI‑Driven Integration
Our platform scales elite operators. Some shops qualify for Turn One Integration—plugging in on day one. Others take a 12‑ to 24‑month integration pathway, guided by AI‑powered onboarding, training, and performance alignment.
And we do it without lowering our standards. This isn’t just a roll‑up—it’s a transformation.
What About Robots?
Could a humanoid robot change a water pump? Probably—but not until 2032–2035, and only in highly optimized environments. While the world imagines robotic torque wrenches and AI eyes in every bay, we’re putting AI where it works now:
- Video approvals
- Voice‑to‑work‑order documentation
- Rilla‑powered guest‑interaction coaching
- Smart labor forecasting
The techs who thrive tomorrow are the ones who embrace AI today.
The Industry’s Wake‑Up Call
Thanks to AI, there has never been a better time in history for hard‑working people to be richly rewarded. Don’t know where to start? Ask AI as your strategic coach. Need to understand accounting, hire great people, or improve phone conversions? Ask AI. Unsure what’s fluff and what’s real? Follow our journey as we separate hype from value and share what works on the ground.
The Path Forward
Adams Automotive is our lab. Houston Boston Partnership is our engine. AutoShop Answers is our infrastructure. Together, we’re scaling toward $300 million with the best people, best tech, and best shops in the country.
We invite you to join us—not just to transform your shop, but to transform your life. Adopt AI not as a threat, but as a partner. Because when used right, AI doesn’t replace the service advisor or technician—it empowers them to lead the future.
Don’t be the shop where your team is just pulling a shift. Don’t let your business become a dead‑end job for talented people. Create careers. Build a legacy.
About the Author
Todd Hayes
Todd Hayes, the esteemed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Adams Automotive "World Class Service," is a prominent figure in the automotive industry. His career, spanning over three decades, showcases him as an entrepreneur, business leader, and celebrated media personality, known for his dedication, innovation, and commitment to excellence.
Beginning in 1986 with Mobile Car Care, Todd's visionary spirit and strategic acumen led to rapid expansion across Texas. His partnership with Retail & Restaurant Growth Capital, L.P. (RRGC) and Cardinal Investment Co. marked a strategic evolution. In 2002, he founded RepairOne, turning it into a multi-million-dollar auto repair service center renowned for customer satisfaction and profitability, thanks to his insights and commitment.
In the media, Todd hosted the "Auto Show Special" on national radio in Houston, Texas, earning the Wheel Award from the Detroit Press Club Foundation. His roles include a newspaper columnist for the Houston Chronicle, President of the Texas Auto Writers Association, and creator of Test Drive TV for CBS and "Test Drive" for United Airlines, leaving a significant mark in media.
As COO of Adams Automotive, Todd's leadership is marked by revenue growth and commitment to superior service. His career reflects the power of innovation, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence, making him a revered figure in the automotive world.