Subscribe now

A programmer at Sandia National Laboratories in California has patented a
machine that automatically mends holes in the road. About the size of a
single-decker bus, the Rapid Road Repair Vehicle scans the road using an array
of sensors on its bumper. When it finds a pothole or crack, it first cleans up
the area with a high-pressure air hose, then vacuums up any debris. A filling
material, such as aggregate, is then tamped into place with a fast sealant and
dusted with grit to provide grip. After a further vacuum session, the RRRV moves
on to the next pothole, at about 15 kilometres per hour.

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop