When it comes to driving, many different triggers can turn the most relaxed individual into a raging maniac whether it be other road users, cyclists, or slow speed limits. However, if you live in the countryside in particular, you may agree that potholes are the most prolific pet peeve. 

The UK is thought to have more than one million potholes, with these road defects being the most common cause of breakdowns. Because of this, the Government has put aside £5 billion to tackle the problem to massively reduce the number of potholes up until 2025. The problem with potholes is that they are created quicker than they can be filled and many people are taking it upon themselves to fix them with manmade concrete and filler. 

In a bid to further accelerate the reduction of potholes, a start-up business called Robotized has combined artificial intelligence with robotic technology to try and reduce the problem. This technology is world-first and is located at the Science and Technology Facilities Council at Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire. This technology uses advanced detection and repair technologies incorporated into AI robotics systems to assess and predict the severity of defects across UK roads, where it will then seal them before they worsen.

According to ukri.org “Based initially on patented research developed at the University of Liverpool, this technology can analyse the geometry of potholes, collecting measurement data as it operates. Using AI, it couples this data with a unique prediction algorithm that will enable local authorities to predict road conditions accurately, enabling them to prioritise preventative road maintenance.

Ultimately, this will reduce the time, cost, carbon dioxide emissions, and material wastage associated with repairing potholes and cracks, while improving the life span and safety of our roads.”

Lisa Layzell, CEO and co-founder at Robotiz3d, said “This is the first autonomous technology of this kind developed specifically to tackle the pothole crisis which plagues many parts of the country, and which is estimated to have cost more than £1 billion to repair over the last decade. 

For Robotiz3d, locating STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory has provided us with a technologically sophisticated environment to operate in. The expertise available, both in technology and business development, have been invaluable as we move towards the commercialisation phase of our business.”

AI is the catalyst to a new world due to its incredible technologies. If you are unsure of what exactly it is, AI systems use data across the web to learn and make informed decisions. This data can be in various forms, such as text, images, audio, and other types of information it will use this data, process it, and create its own unique response.