What if robots also took care of road maintenance? A question that could soon have a concrete answer with ARREST Prevent. Developed by startup Robotiz3d in collaboration with the University of Liverpool, this intelligent stopgap robot is ready for its first road test in Hertfordshire, UK.
Using artificial intelligence, ARRES Prevent (an acronym for “Aautonomous Rbeans Repair System”) autonomously finds and repairs cracks on the roads, thus avoiding the formation of potholes. One small step for a robot, but one giant leap for road maintenance.
the birth of ARRES prevent
The idea for ARRES Prevent was born way back in 2016 as a research project at the University of Liverpool. In this context, the awareness has developed that road maintenance could benefit enormously from artificial intelligence and robotics.
Four more years (of work), and in 2020 the researchers gave life to Robotiz3d Ltd, with the aim of turning this vision into reality. And then?
Before the launch of ARRES Prevent, Robotiz3d developed ARESS Eye, a system for analyzing and monitoring road conditions. This technology can collect data while traveling up to 96 km/h, one lane at a time. It provides detailed information on road defects, allowing for in-depth analysis and efficient road maintenance. And, in fact, it guides Prevent.
How road maintenance works with ARRES prevent
ARRES Prevent is an autonomous vehicle, similar to a small van, that patrols roads on its own to identify and seal cracks, thus preventing potholes from forming. It operates both independently and remotely, and accurately records the details and locations of repairs. Its ability to operate regardless of lighting conditions makes it a versatile, 24-hour system.
I find this to be a great thing, because traditional road maintenance is expensive and inefficient. Robotiz3d estimates that the annual costs related to pothole damage (in the UK, I dare not think in Italy) amount to the equivalent of around 2,2 billion euros. With ARRES Prevent, a cost reduction of up to 90% and an increase in the speed of road3 maintenance by 70%. That's not all: the system generates three times less CO2 emissions, thus contributing to a lower environmental impact.
The future of road maintenance
Although ARRES Prevent is still in the pilot phase, it has already passed numerous tests in the laboratory. Its first real-world intervention on a residential street in Hertfordshire will be somewhat of a historic moment for this technology.
Preventing problems before they appear could be the key to safer roads and more sustainable and precise road maintenance. Roads always in order, it seems like a dream to me.
