How can AI benefit Repair Cafés?

From shorter repair times and tracking down hard-to-find parts to building bridges with the younger generation, Repair Café Ochtrup in Germany is championing the use of AI in repairs. Founder Wolfgang Götze travels the country in his camper van, running AI workshops at Repair Cafés. “The scepticism quickly disappears once repairers experience the benefits for themselves.”

Wolfgang Götze (78) founded Repair Café Ochtrup in Münsterland in 2019. From the outset, he has incorporated digital tools and AI into the repair process. A computer scientist by training, he graduated at the age of 75 with a dissertation on AI applications. Last year, he handed over the reins to Joachim Anicker, a Protestant minister who is passionate about repairs and programming. Together, they aim to use artificial intelligence to “take the Repair Café concept into a new era”.

But how exactly can AI be applied to repairs? Will Repair Café repairers be keen to embrace this new development? What about concerns such as high energy consumption? Time for an interview!

What inspired the idea of using AI in Repair Cafés?

Wolfgang: “I’d been working intensively with AI for several years. When applications such as Gemini and ChatGPT appeared on the market, I knew immediately that this would be a game-changer for the repair industry. Initially, within our own group in Ochtrup, I had to work hard to convince a few repairers to participate in the AI experiment. But the success of the experiment proves that this approach is the right one.”

How can AI be used in a Repair Café?

Joachim & Wolfgang: “We use the Gemini AI chatbot. It provides precise instructions on how to open and repair devices. This is considerably quicker and more accurate than getting tips via a traditional search engine.

In practice, we use a three-stage system:

• Phase 1 is a fault diagnosis: by taking a photo of a type plate, the AI can provide the key technical specifications within seconds. It can also identify the exact model and highlight the device’s known weaknesses and fault patterns.
• In Phase 2, we examine disassembly and safety. AI provides step-by-step instructions on how to open devices, which are often difficult to dismantle due to adhesives being used, without causing any damage. At the same time, it highlights any safety risks.
• Phase 3 focuses on analysis and spare parts. During the visual analysis, which is supported by digital USB microscopes on the repair bench, AI helps to identify faulty circuit board components and find suppliers for rare spare parts.

Have you also encountered any restrictions?

Joachim & Wolfgang: “Absolutely. Not every free AI tool is equally effective in every area. One challenge is ‘hallucinations’, whereby the AI provides answers that sound plausible but are factually incorrect. Human input and technical expertise therefore remain indispensable. At our Repair Café, we are also considering switching to professional, higher-quality paid versions.”

Why do you hold workshops at other Repair Cafés, Wolfgang?

“Initially, enthusiasm at my own Repair Café was lukewarm, so I wanted to test how other initiatives would respond to my AI approach. During my visits, I realised that, although there is enormous interest in using AI, many Repair Cafés lack practical, structured guidelines. This motivated me to develop a method. Nowadays, I share this knowledge while travelling in my camper van. I demonstrate on the spot that, thanks to targeted ‘prompts’ – reusable instructions – there is no need to type out long texts at the repair table.”

What is the response of the volunteers there?

“Just as in wider society, we didn’t just hear cheers. You come up against the classic, understandable objections: ‘AI destroys jobs’, ‘it uses too much electricity’ and ‘AI can’t tighten a screw’. My job isn’t to replace craftsmanship, but to demonstrate that AI is a valuable addition to a tradesperson’s toolkit. If an experienced repairer can crack open a device in 15 minutes instead of 50 thanks to AI, the scepticism quickly disappears.”

How do you address the issue of AI’s high energy consumption?

Joachim & Wolfgang: “The energy consumption of AI data centres is undoubtedly a problem. However, the bigger picture is often overlooked. Artificial intelligence also delivers huge savings. For instance, AI optimises the control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in large complexes. In our repair practice, the following still applies: because we only work with text, our resource usage and costs remain limited.”

Could AI help get the younger generation excited about repairing things?

Joachim & Wolfgang: “Absolutely! We experienced this first-hand during project days at a primary school. The children were fascinated by the fact that they could use the computer as a real detective’s tool, not just for gaming. Using AI and USB microscopes, they tracked down and fixed faults in the toys they had brought with them. AI bridges the gap between young people’s digital world and practical craftsmanship.”

Do you have any advice for Repair Cafés that want to use AI?

Joachim: “The great thing is that no programming training is required; anyone can start using it straight away to look up spare parts, dismantling tips, and circuit diagrams. AI can also support older or less technically experienced repairers by acting as a tireless coach, helping with PC problems, setting up a database, or switching from Windows to Linux, for example.”

Wolfgang: “We see AI as the key to making repair knowledge accessible to all. For decades, manufacturers have kept know-how and service manuals under lock and key to make consumers dependent on buying new products. AI breaks this monopoly: it scans, translates and organises knowledge scattered across the globe in just a few seconds. Our advice: Put your fears aside and just give it a go!”

More information

• Visit the Repair Café Ochtrup website.
• Do you have any practical questions after reading this article? Wolfgang Götze (AI concept developer at Repair Café Ochtrup) can be contacted at [email protected].