Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers

Electric motor repair work still relies heavily on human skill. Many repair shops use computer systems (like ERP or CMMS software) to log repairs and track parts, but most tasks are not fully automated ^{[1] [1]}. For example, researchers note that big industrial motors often have AI-based condition monitoring to predict faults ^[2], and some companies even use robots with AI to inspect power plants ^[3].

However, small motor shops usually don’t have these high-tech tools. Routine tasks like resurfacing commutators, cleaning batteries, and hands-on testing remain manual. In fact, an official survey reports about two-thirds of electric motor repairers say their job is “not at all automated” ^[1].

Reading manuals or diagnosing problems still needs the human eye (though someday AI summaries or chatbots could help), and inventory stocking is partly done with software as listed by O*NET ^[1].

Widespread AI in motor repair is still limited. High costs and specialized needs slow fast adoption. Large firms may invest in AI (for example, an energy company partnered on $100 million of inspection robots with AI software ^[3]), but small repair shops generally find these systems too expensive.

Studies in manufacturing show moving to AI can hurt productivity at first, before any gains ^[4]. This “ramp-up” and the need for clean data and training often mean AI projects stall (many pilots never get rolled out). Also, electric motor repair combines mechanical skill and judgment, so many workers and customers prefer human technicians.

In practice, new technology helps in narrow ways (like digital upkeep or guided diagnostics), but most of the work still happens the old-fashioned way. Overall, experts say AI will augment – not replace – these workers. Young repairers can stay valuable by learning to use new tools (for example, software for parts or mobile diagnostic apps) while relying on their hands-on skill and problem solving ^{[1] [1]}.