# PitPro's robot swaps tires in 15 minutes

> San Francisco startup deploys its first automatic tire-changing system at a Canadian tire shop to tackle labor shortages.
- Title: PitPro's robot swaps tires in 15 minutes · TechCrunch
- Summary: San Francisco startup deploys its first automatic tire-changing system at a Canadian tire shop to tackle labor shortages. PitPro Automation installed its…
- Keywords: pitpro automation, tire-changing robot, calgary, kal tire, robotics, labor shortage, automation, tire service, technology, startups, PitPro's, robot
- Source: TechCrunch — https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/23/pitpros-first-tire-changing-robot-goes-live-in-canada
- Author: Sean O'Kane
- Published: 2026-09-23T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pitpro automation, tire-changing robot, calgary, kal tire, robotics, labor shortage, automation, tire service, technology, startups
## Robot tire shop opens in Calgary
San Francisco startup PitPro Automation installed its first automatic tire-changing system at a Kal Tire location in Calgary, Alberta.
## Four tires in under 15 minutes
PitPro's robotic system can swap a full set of four tires in under fifteen minutes using sensors and a robotic arm.
## Tire shops face severe labor crisis
Changing tires is backbreaking work and tire shops struggle to hire and retain staff. One manager lost half their employees when a Panda Express opened nearby.

> One shop manager was telling me they had to get special permission to pay more because a Panda Express opened across the street and it took about half their employees.
## How the robot works
Two oven-sized robots locate and loosen lug nuts, store them, remove wheels, and install new or rotated tires in existing maintenance bays.
## Why tire chains, not fleets
PitPro founder Jeremy Conrad targets tire chains because of constant winter tire demand in Canada and standardized layouts that enable wider deployment.
## Outdoor conditions pose challenges
Tire shops operate with bay doors open, exposing robots to dust, debris, and weather. PitPro had to ensure sensors maintain accurate tire visibility.
## Dandelion seeds surprise
During Calgary installation, robots were covered in dandelion seeds. Conrad said testing showed it won't affect performance.

> We looked into it, and it's not going to be a problem for us. But it's just like… I had never thought about that we might need to deal with a dust cloud of dandelions.
## Key takeaway

PitPro Automation installed its first tire-changing robot at a Calgary tire shop, automating a labor-intensive task that tire shops struggle to staff.