Potholes are a persistent issue, and scooter company Lime has identified them as a risk to its business in its IPO filing. Despite technology claims to fix potholes, they remain. However, cars with advanced sensors are now tools to quickly alert cities to these issues.
Waymo and Waze recently launched a pilot to share pothole data with local governments. Meanwhile, fleet management company Samsara has introduced its “Ground Intelligence” AI-powered solution, which uses cameras in trucks to monitor potholes and their deterioration. Samsara believes its widespread truck usage will collect valuable repeat data on potholes, aiding cities like Chicago, which is one of their new customers. The system could potentially track other issues like graffiti and broken infrastructure.
Samsara aims to simplify city maintenance by offering clear alerts through Ground Intelligence’s dashboard. This proactive approach could replace the reactive, noisy process of current methods. Samsara is also expanding its capabilities with offerings like Waste Intelligence for waste management and ridership management to assist bus drivers and school operations.