World’s first pothole robot hits highways in Hertfordshire

Grant Prior 1 year ago
Share

A pothole robot is being tested on the roads of Hertfordshire in what is claimed to be a world first.

The autonomous robot has been developed by tech company Robotiz3d and academics at the University of Liverpool who have been working in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council Highways Engineers.

The team has now developed the first Autonomous Road Repair System (ARRES) which identifies and characterises cracks and potholes in the road using Artificial Intelligence.

It then automatically fills the cracks to keep out surface water which in turn helps to prevent potholes forming.

The new vehicle is currently still in its pilot phase and has been tested in a lab environment extensively, but it is due to hit the roads of Hertfordshire early this year for a ‘real-life’ road repair on a residential street in the county.

Cllr Phil Bibby, Executive Member for Highways at Hertfordshire County Council, 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 the potholes 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.”

Latest news

New BAM leisure centre pool springs a leak

Contractor investigating "technical issues" delaying new £36m green leisure centre
18 hours ago

Bowmer + Kirkland to build £100m Oxford science scheme

Work to start at end of next month on 180,000 sq ft Fabrica scheme
33 minutes ago

United Living lands £250m HyNet pipeline deal

Firm wins deal to design and build over 34km of pipework to collect CO2
8 minutes ago

Hydrogen diggers get green light to use roads

JCB hails historic decision for advance of hydrogen-fuelled plant on sites
8 minutes ago

Go-ahead for McAleer & Rushe Glasgow student job

£100m funding deal paves way for 591-bed student tower
24 minutes ago

Fly-tippers to get their vehicles crushed

Drones will be used to identify cowboy construction waste operators
45 seconds ago

Green light for £150m West End office revamp

Shaftesbury Avenue office retrofit retains 75% of original building
23 hours ago

Morgan Sindall lands £20m Brunswick Wharf scheme in Bideford

North Devon waterside project will provide 100 flats
15 hours ago

Former Keltbray managers jailed after corruption trial

Jail sentences following bribery probe on jobs including Battersea Power Station
1 day ago

Lidl pumps £500m into store and logistics expansion

Discounter plans 40 new stores this year as expansion ramps up
24 hours ago

JJ Rhatigan UK profit jumps as turnover tops £150m

Irish contractor's expansion in England gathers pace
1 day ago

Driverless digger to be used on Taylor Woodrow site

Autonomous excavator to work at Manchester Airport after successful trial
1 day ago

MCS Build lands Basingstoke warehouse scheme

Construction starts this month after £26m funding deal
24 hours ago

Leeds United unveil stadium revamp design

Club has still to set a timeframe for staged Elland Road upgrade
1 day ago

Bowmer & Kirkland boosts margins as profits surge to £69m

Revenue nudges up towards £1.3bn in year of expansion
2 days ago

Offshore construction starts on £4bn windfarm

Foundations for first of 95 turbines installed: Watch video
2 days ago

AECOM buys civils consultant Allen Gordon

Global giant acquires Scottish water and energy specialist
2 days ago

Plans in for £1bn Northern Gateway site in Manchester

Plan for 500-acre manufacturing and logistic park advance
2 days ago

RED wins £31m London Shoreditch student digs job

Two extra floors will be added to Willen House scheme
2 days ago

Deconstruct handed £12m Grenfell demolition

Firm maintaining building awarded job without bid race to speed process
2 days ago

Sizewell site workers get made to measure PPE

Bespoke fitting service on offer at new Bryson branch
2 days ago

Comment: Gateway is acting like a barricade

Contractors left banging their heads on an (unbuilt) brick wall
5 days ago

Final phase of £1.5bn Elephant and Castle revamp hits planning

Get Living submits revised plan for 500 homes and 450-bed student block
6 days ago

Ealing backs final phase of £1.3bn estate rebuild

Friary Park estate rebuild in Acton reaches end stage
5 days ago

Green light for scaled-down Nottingham student tower

Glasshouse Street scheme will deliver 247 student rooms
5 days ago

Aston Villa to revamp North Stand

Club to reuse existing structure rather than complete rebuild
6 days ago

Mace signs ex-ISG director to lead Euro health and tech push

Gary Sweeney to head up healthcare and life sciences consultancy arm
5 days ago

Sir Robert McAlpine claws way back into profit

Firm says return to profit and strong cash balance validates new strategy
6 days ago

Severfield to cut staff by 6% amid pricing pressure

Steelwork contractor warns of extended tighter pricing due to project delays
6 days ago

JRL completes sale of 50% stake to Malaysian giant IJM

Deal boosts balance sheet and kicks starts growth plan
6 days ago

Contractor services