The tech company Robotiz3d is one step closer to testing its newly developed pothole repairing robot. The robot has been in development since 2020 and is the first Autonomous Road Repair System, officially named ARRES PREVENT.
The robot was developed in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) highway engineers and academics at the University of Liverpool. It uses artificial intelligence (AI) imaging technology to scan and identify any potholes and cracks present.
The bot then fills the cracks to stop any surface water from entering, ultimately preventing the chance of potholes forming. It’s currently in the pilot phase of development and is aiming to take its first test drive on the roads of Hertfordshire this year.
Funding provided by Innovate UK allows Robotiz3d to conduct thorough tests and trials in their lab with the hopes that the ‘real-life’ road trials will result in the robot passing pivotal tests in development.
HCC states that: “The brand-new technology could revolutionise the way Hertfordshire and the rest of the world deal with potholes and issues with road surfaces in the future.”
Counsellor Phil Bobby, executive member for highways at HCC, said: “We’re thrilled to be at the coalface of this exciting new technology, working with world-class tech inventors and engineers.
“We’ve long been leading the way in cracking the pothole issue and in recent times have been trialling new and improved ways to fill potholes. As we continue to face another cold winter, we know we’re likely to see an increase in potholes forming as the road surface gets too cold and water and ice get into cracks that have formed over time.
“Using state-of-the-art technology to prevent potholes from forming in the first place could be exactly what we need to ensure our road network remains one of the best in the country. We know this issue matters to our residents, so it matters to us too.”
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