OilyRAGs: Building a RAG-powered mechanic's assistant with AI

Jeff Davis participated in LlamaIndex's hackathon, creating a project called "OilyRAGs" that secured third place. OilyRAGs is an AI-driven mechanic assistant catalog aimed at enhancing efficiency in mechanical maintenance, particularly in the marine industry, by utilizing LlamaIndex to build a RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) enabled chatbot. This system allows mechanics to quickly access information and perform tasks using a multimodal hands-free interface, significantly speeding up processes like deciphering engine model numbers and ordering parts. The application's backend leverages various LlamaIndex components, providing mechanics with a digital form to track maintenance tasks, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing errors associated with traditional methods. The success of OilyRAGs at the hackathon underscores its potential for broader application in various mechanical sectors, offering benefits such as faster service and increased throughput for mechanics, marinas, manufacturers, and boat owners.