Potholes have long been an annoyance for many road users, causing significant damage to vehicles and creating a hefty financial burden for fleet managers. Today, the rising incidence of potholes has been further exacerbated by aging infrastructure, increasing road traffic and extreme weather conditions, and as a result, it’s led to the creative build of innovative new solutions.
Enter Robotiz3d, a UK start-up poised to revolutionise road maintenance with its world-first autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) powered robot designed to detect and repair potholes efficiently.
A brand-new technology built to help repair road state, this may sound like an exciting new development for most drivers, but also seem rather far-fetched to others. So why is it exactly that we are looking to robots for help, is the situation really that dire?
Potholes are a costly issue
The scale of the pothole problem is truly staggering, where in the UK alone, nearly two million potholes are repaired annually and the issue predicted to worsen due to deteriorating road conditions.
The trouble is that traditional methods of pothole repair are incredibly labour-intensive and often fall short in addressing the issue effectively, so much so that according to the Pothole Impact Tracker (PIT) report by Kwik Fit, the cost of vehicle repairs due to pothole damage reached £1.48 billion in 2023, a 61% increase since 2018.
What’s more, fleet vehicles are also particularly vulnerable to pothole damage, as any impact can lead to frequent repairs and higher maintenance costs to fix associated problems such as misaligned wheels, damaged suspensions and tyre wear.
Currently, the average repair bill for pothole damage stands at £863 according to the PIT report, with some repairs costing over £300 for components alone such as wheels and suspensions. Together, the cumulative effect of these repairs significantly impacts fleet management budgets, and emphasises the need for a proactive approach to road maintenance.
Robotiz3d‘s innovation
Based at the Daresbury Laboratory in the Liverpool City Region, Robotiz3d has developed an autonomous vehicle that combines AI and advanced robotics to locate and repair road defects.
This cutting-edge technology is initially based on patented research from the University of Liverpool, and utilises AI to analyse the geometry of potholes and predict road conditions, allowing for timely interventions and the sealing of cracks before they develop into more severe potholes.
Talking to the technology, the Autonomous Road Repair System (ARRES) Prevent bot by Robotiz3d is equipped with optical sensors and advanced detection technologies to identify and repair road damage autonomously. What’s more, the robot also operates without a driver, making it a safer and more cost-effective alternative to traditional repair crews.
With this innovation set to undergo official testing in Hertfordshire, it holds the potential to transform road maintenance practices significantly and vastly improve road standards across the UK.
Economic and environmental benefits
The adoption of Robotiz3d’s technology promises substantial economic and environmental benefits by enabling local authorities to prioritise preventative road maintenance.
The result, is that the AI-powered robot can reduce the time, cost and material wastage associated with traditional pothole repairs, as well as lower the overall maintenance costs for fleet vehicles, enhancing their lifespan and reliability.
The environmental impact is also notable too, as the autonomous repair system’s electric-powered operation reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional repair methods. What’s more, preventing potholes from forming minimises the need for extensive repairs also, which often involves significant resource consumption and environmental degradation. Therefore, it’s a much more environmentally friendly approach.
The broader impact on fleet vehicles
For fleet managers, the implications of widespread pothole damage extend beyond repair costs, particularly as potholes can contribute to increased accident rates and transportation delays, both of which can severely disrupt business operations.
According to the Asphalt Industry Alliance, potholes can reduce vehicle speed by an average of 2 mph, which, over longer distances, can lead to substantial delays in delivery schedules. Supporting this is the Federation of Small Businesses which reports that poor road conditions have increased journey times by 25% for some businesses, translating to lost productivity and missed opportunities.
And finally, potholes of course pose a significant safety risk, with PIT statistics revealing that pothole-related incidents resulted in 451 severe injuries or fatalities across England, Scotland, and Wales between 2018 and 2022.
For fleet operators, this not only jeopardises the safety of drivers but also leads to potential legal liabilities, increased insurance premiums and loss of productivity due to employee absences from injuries.
Advocating for proactive road maintenance
Given the substantial impact of potholes on fleet operations, it’s important for businesses to advocate for improved public infrastructure maintenance.
Here, investing in technologies such as Robotiz3d’s autonomous repair system can help address the root cause of pothole-related issues, ensuring smoother and safer roads.
Though businesses can take proactive steps too, for example by partnering with reputable pothole repair contractors for maintaining private infrastructure such as loading bays and car parks.
Both approaches which may help to mitigate the financial impact of potholes on operations and safeguards the bottom line.
Empowering road safety technologies with S&G Response
The introduction of Robotiz3d’s autonomous pothole repair robot represents a significant advancement in road maintenance technology, and by leveraging AI and robotics, this innovation promises to make pothole repairs faster, safer and more cost-effective, to offer substantial benefits for fleet vehicles and road users alike.
And so, as businesses and local authorities continue to recognise the importance of proactive road maintenance, the adoption of new technologies will always play a crucial role in paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable future.
In this landscape of innovation, companies like ours are also at the forefront of transforming vehicle accident management, as S&G Response has been taking the hassle out of vehicle accidents for over 10 years, helping customers get back on the road quickly.
Our nationwide capabilities, innovative product suite and market-leading team of 120 operate from our head office in Wilmslow, processing over 120,000 claims annually for all vehicle types, and our trusted repairer network boasts national coverage of hand-picked BS10125 insurance-approved car and LCV repairers, each delivering industry-leading vehicle key-to-key times.
Supported by a specialist network of 58 HGV repairers, we are a valuable resource and the perfect partner for comprehensive motor claims support, and our services include FNOL, deploying the right recovery equipment, and transporting your vehicle to one of our trusted repairers.
Our tailored accident management services make us the most reliable repair network to partner with, and we’d be happy to chat through how we can help your business in this ever evolving landscape.
