Could this been the saviour of Britain’s rubbish roads? British firm is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence-led robots that can seek out and fix POTHOLES on UK roads

An innovative British firm is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence-led robots that can seek out and fix potholes on UK roads.

The self-driving robot, which looks like a cross between a tank and a road roller, was created by tech firm Robotiz3d to help local authorities fix the holes in the roads. 

Almost two million potholes are fixed on UK roads annually, but with an increase of drivers and extreme weather conditions, it is expected to get worse.

Developed in Cheshire, the newly-created technology will combine AI with advanced robotics to develop an autonomous vehicle to suss out potholes and fix them.

The robot will use AI to analyse the geometry of potholes and it will collect measurement data as it operates. 

It can then help predict road conditions accurately, enabling local authorities to prioritise preventative maintenance. 

An innovative British firm is developing the world’s first artificial intelligence-led robots that can seek out and fix potholes on UK roads

The robot will use AI to analyse the geometry of potholes and it will collect measurement data as it operates

Robotiz3d hopes the machine will reduce the time and cost, CO2 emissions and material wastage that are associated with repairing potholes. 

The firm, based at world-leading Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington, Cheshire, also hopes it will improve the lifespan of 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 to 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.’

The work, based initially on patented research developed at the University of Liverpool, has been supported by the Government’s UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). 

Robotiz3d have also worked alongside science and innovation campus Sci-Tech Daresbury (STFC) to create the robot. 

UKRI said: ‘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.

READ MORE: Are these Britain’s worst potholes? The roads blighted by craters – and how it costs businesses and locals millions in repair bills… how bad is YOUR street? 

‘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.

‘At Daresbury Laboratory, located at Sci Tech Daresbury in the Liverpool City Region, Robotiz3d has gained flexible and affordable access to the advanced manufacturing facilities and dedicated business support available on site.

‘This has included the opportunity to create a bespoke laboratory to develop its prototype, including space for the essential testing of its autonomous vehicle.’

With official testing now underway, UKRI said Robotiz3d is making substantial progress towards commercialising its technology.

UKRI added: ‘Throughout the process, access to dedicated business support, including health and safety requirements and networking opportunities has also been invaluable to Robotiz3d’s progress.’

In March a new study estimated that the cost of clearing Britain’s pothole backlog had reached a record high of £14billlion – up nearly £1.5billion on last year.

It would take 11 years for local authorities to fix every crumbling road in England and Wales, up from nine years in 2022, according to a survey by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA).

Last year the trade body found it would cost councils £12.64billion to fill in all potholes – but since then the repair bill has risen by 11 per cent to £14.02billion.

Overall, the AIA found there were 8,000 fewer miles of road classified as ‘good’ compared with last year, a fall of 4 per cent.

Robotiz3d hopes the machine will reduce the time and cost, CO2 emissions and material wastage that are associated with repairing potholes (file image)

Despite the deteriorating state of the nation’s roads, only 1.4million potholes were filled in 2022/3, down from 1.7million in the previous year.

The AIA’s Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey found shortfalls in pothole repair budgets among local authorities had reached a record high.

Councils in England and Wales said they only received two-thirds of what they needed during the current financial year to stop local roads further deteriorating, the ALARM survey found.

David Renard, transport spokesman for the Local Government Association, said at the time: ‘Councils work tirelessly to repair our local roads, which are the bedrock of our economy.

‘To improve the condition of our roads, the Government should provide a funding increase for councils, including meeting new inflationary pressures.

‘This would help councils focus on long-term investment in existing roads, delivering preventative maintenance and reducing the occurrence of potholes in the first place, which are more expensive to repair.’

Source: Read Full Article