AutoTech Outlook: Specials Magazine

A routine drive can unexpectedly become a defining service moment. Whether it’s a flat tire, a stalled engine or a lockout, motorists expect swift and reliable roadside assistance. For insurers, TPAs and fleet operators, these moments are crucial touchpoints that shape customer satisfaction and protect brand reputation. Nation Safe Drivers (NSD) is the behind-the-scenes partner coordinating rapid roadside interventions. Leveraging a vetted network of more than 50,000 independent service providers and a fleet of over 250,000 active vehicles, the company serves more than 15 million motorists annually. Powering this capability is its tech-enabled dispatch platform that provides real-time analytics to ensure prompt, reliable support across nearly every breakdown scenario. A one-stop solution for roadside assistance and ancillary vehicle protection, NSD’s portfolio covers the full spectrum of motorist needs, from essential services to advanced protection plans. The approach helps partners enhance customer satisfaction and deliver greater value. With nationwide coverage across every U.S. and Canadian postal area, it delivers consistent, transparent service, overcoming the gaps and inconsistencies that challenge regional providers. “From the moment a motorist raises their hand for help, we’re digitally connecting, dispatching a service vehicle and staying with the motorist throughout the event,” says Richard Holland, CEO. NSD provides customizable roadside assistance programs tailored to each client, supported by flexible pricing models and white-labeled portals that enable a seamless, branded experience for their customers. A Strategic Partner in Mobility Services NSD delivers unmatched coverage with a comprehensive range of services, including jump-starts, tire changes or inflation, fuel delivery or EV charging, mobile mechanical repairs, winching and unlocking vehicles. The model also extends to light, medium and heavy-duty towing, including low-clearance extractions, motorcycle and specialty vehicle transport and the movement of trailers, RVs and fifth-wheel units. Beyond roadside basics, NSD manages specialized recovery operations such as impound releases, repossessions and last-mile transfers from long-haul carriers. At the core of NSD's model is Moov™ Technology, a proprietary integrated platform that blends automation with human-centered service. Rather than relying on static networks or manual call centers, MoovTech dynamically triages requests. Real-time location data is used to assign service jobs within seconds to the best provider, factoring in both proximity and expertise. NSD’s proprietary algorithms optimize each dispatch for reliability and efficiency, ensuring motorists receive prompt, effective assistance even in high-pressure situations. Precise ETAs and status updates are provided to motorists, while NSD remains digitally connected with both motorist and provider throughout the event. Once the job is complete, the service provider digitally confirms the status. The customer is invited to provide post-event feedback so that NSD can continually refine its services. Combining its state-of-the-art technology with a vetted provider network ensures every interaction is handled with professionalism and urgency. Breakdowns are transformed from high-stress situations to outcomes that put a smile on the customer’s face and inspire trust.

Automobiles rely on thousands of spot welds to hold their structures together, making weld integrity critical to both safety and performance. Insight Ultrasonics is transforming weld testing with precision robotics. Its automated ultrasonic system combines phased array imaging, machine learning and robotic automation to give Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs a safer, faster and more reliable way to validate weld quality. Destructive testing has long been the gold standard, but it is one of the leading causes of lost-time accidents in factories and creates unnecessary cost. Every destroyed part represents scrap losses, labor costs and missed sales opportunities, adding up to tens of thousands of dollars each month even at small sample sizes. Manual ultrasonic testing offers a safer approach, but it struggles to scale across the 6,000 spot welds in a typical vehicle. “Our technology takes a dangerous, expensive process off the table and turns it into something safer and far more reliable,” says David Burks, managing partner and CEO. Safer, Smarter Weld Validation The platform begins the testing process with quick programming of weld counts, sheet thickness and materials, which are ingested into the system in minutes. The system includes a destructive testing entry screen for direct comparison during correlation, helping OEMs confirm accuracy before full deployment. Once validated, robotic probes use modern vision and ultrasonic imaging to precisely center themselves on each weld. Phased array sound pulses then map thickness and fusion with high resolution, while the system captures both photographic and ultrasonic imagery for full documentation. Machine learning adds predictive capability by identifying weld patterns linked to failure criteria. When weld processes begin to drift, whether from worn tips, current variations or equipment changes, the platform issues early alerts. Maintenance can then be scheduled proactively, preventing bad parts before they appear on the line. The benefits are evident in customer deployments. One Tier 1 supplier previously destroyed ten parts daily, each with nearly 30 welds, losing about $20,000 per month in scrap and labor. With Insight Ultrasonics, destructive testing was virtually eliminated, correlation accuracy reached 95 percent, OEM approval was achieved and the system paid for itself in under a year..