Computer-based methods and systems for facilitating the inspection of a
vehicle to detect the presence of damage and problems with previous repair
and to guide the inspection, estimation, and repair of direct and indirect
damage are provided. Exemplary embodiments provide an inspection
facilitator, which includes an inspection engine and an inspection
interface. The inspection engine and inspection interface can be
implemented as an expert system, which directs a technician or apparatus
to perform a uniform inspection process. When used to detect prior damage
and problems with previous repair, the inspection facilitator, after
receiving vehicle specific information, first directs and guides an
inspection of the underbody of the vehicle to detect gross-level or
relevant damage and repair. The inspection facilitator then dynamically
directs and guides an inspection of the outerbody of the vehicle based
upon the nonconformities indicated in response to each directed inspection
task. When used to guide an inspection, estimate, and/or repair of direct
and indirect damage, the inspection facilitator first directs an
inspection of direct damage. The inspection facilitator then dynamically
directs and guides an inspection of areas that are likely to have
sustained indirect damage. The areas to be inspected and the inspection
tasks are determined dynamically by comparing nonconformity input to facts
and rules programmed into the inference engine of the inspection
facilitator, in combination with retrieved manufacturing specifications,
industry standard repair procedures, principles of energy management, and
other relevant data.