PitPro deploys its first automated tire-swapping system at a Calgary shop
PitPro Automation has installed its first robotic tire-changing system at a Kal Tire location in Calgary, Alberta. The system can swap a full set of four tires in under 15 minutes. The startup aims to address labor shortages in tire shops and plans to expand to commercial fleets and chains.
The robotic system consists of two oven-sized units that use sensors and arms to locate, loosen, and store lug nuts before pulling wheels and mounting replacements. It is designed to fit into standard service bays, and the bay remains usable for other maintenance tasks. The Calgary installation is at a Kal Tire outlet, one of Canada's largest independent tire chains.
Operational hurdles include exposure to open-bay conditions—dust, weather, and even dandelion seeds, which the company confirmed pose no risk. PitPro also leverages an adviser, Ted Cannis, a former Ford Pro executive, to connect with commercial fleets, a primary target alongside retail chains.
This deployment could reshape tire service economics, potentially easing chronic labor shortages and reducing physical strain on workers. For customers, faster swaps may mean less downtime, while fleets could see efficiency gains. However, it may also displace entry-level mechanics, and smaller independent shops might struggle to adopt such capital-intensive automation, possibly widening a gap between large chains and local businesses.