PitPro launches first tire-changing robot at Calgary Kal Tire shop

PitPro Automation, a San Francisco-based robotics company, announced that its first automated tire-changing system is now operating at a Kal Tire service centre in Calgary, Alberta. The deployment marks the company’s move from prototype to real-world use, with the robots able to replace an entire set of four tires in less than 15 minutes, according to the startup.

Founder and CEO Jeremy Conrad said the technology is built to fit into existing service bays, using two boxy units roughly the size of a household oven. Each unit combines a robotic arm with a suite of sensors to locate lug nuts, loosen them, store the nuts, remove the wheel and install a new or rotated tire. The design allows the bay to remain usable for other maintenance tasks when the robots are not in operation.

Conrad highlighted the labor shortage facing tire shops as a key driver for automation. He described tire changes as “backbreaking” work and noted that many shops struggle to retain staff, with turnover often occurring within a year. One manager reportedly needed special permission to raise wages after a nearby fast-food outlet attracted half of the shop’s employees. By automating the most physically demanding step, PitPro hopes to reduce turnover pressure and improve shop profitability.

The company is targeting large tire-service chains rather than independent garages, citing the standardized layouts of chain locations as conducive to broader rollout. Conrad added that the robots’ footprint does not preclude mechanics from performing other services in the same bay, a factor that could ease adoption. An adviser to PitPro, former Ford Pro executive Ted Cannis, is leveraging his relationships with major U.S. fleets to explore future deployments beyond tire changes, a longer-term ambition for the startup.

Deploying the system in a real shop presented practical hurdles. Open bay doors expose the equipment to dust, debris and weather, requiring robust engineering to keep sensors accurate. An unexpected test came when dandelion seeds settled on the robots during installation; the team determined the material would not impair performance. Conrad described the incident as a reminder of the unpredictable conditions a shop environment can present.

PitPro’s Calgary launch demonstrates a tangible step toward automating routine vehicle maintenance. If the technology proves reliable at scale, it could open pathways for further robotic services in automotive shops and for fleet operators seeking efficiency gains. The next phase for the company will be to expand installations across other Kal Tire locations and to validate interest from commercial fleets, setting the stage for broader adoption of automated maintenance solutions.