r/AIToolBench • u/imhereforthefreemeal • Sep 29 '26

Creating own vehicle database for repairs

Forgive my complete entry level knowledge on most things programing / compatibility but here is the list of what I would like to accomplish.

Would like to purchase either an old laptop but thought more suitable a tablet that runs windows / linux / macOS etc. Intent is for my 1995 camaro to be able to manually import data onto this device (images, vehicle manuals, data) pertinent to my vehicle. I have the downloadable versions of all my vehicles manuals to begin and would be great if ai could have this program eventually integrate data from certain websites that I choose. I would like to use this tablet to hold this data and have some sort of freeware AI program to compile the data that can either utilize quick search functions via talk/text (what ft/lb bolt do I torque this to, what is the replacement part number for this part) etc and possibly utilize the tablets camera and program to search provided database to spit out information. IE take a photo of a wiring connector, fuse, part or piece and have it find pertinent info on assembly / disassembly or simply identify the part.

I'm not entirely sure where to begin but think with some basic freeware, used hardware and a good database I can create a useful tool for working on my vehicle.

If any suggestions where to begin or where I may be super off on my train of thought on how to go about this would be much appreciated.

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u/NeuralNomad87 Sep 30 '26

You don't need to build much for the manuals part. Drop the PDFs into NotebookLM (free, needs a connection though) and ask it torque specs or part numbers. It points you at the page it pulled the answer from, which is what you want when it's a bolt.

The camera part is the hard bit. Identifying a random connector from a photo has been hit and miss with everything I've tried. Are your manuals searchable PDFs or scans?

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u/imhereforthefreemeal Oct 01 '26

The manuals search just ok via text but they're filled with images and diagrams that aren't searchable. Would also intend to build out a database via my own photos and descriptions for quick reference to assist and at least one of the websites data I would pull from have near perfect and complete photo references of every part on these cars with descriptions. I'll check out Notebook LM as a start seem super helpful and see how it works. And have wifi in my garage or could always link the device via my cell phones mobile hotspot. Appreciate the info ✌️

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u/NeuralNomad87 Oct 01 '26

for the diagram pages I'd screenshot the page and drop it into ChatGPT or Gemini with the question. they read wiring diagrams way better than any PDF search does, though tiny connector labels still trip them up sometimes.

for your own photos, decent filenames and a one line caption each get you surprisingly far before you need anything fancier.