Bengaluru's roads are notoriously riddled with deep potholes, posing daily risks to motorists and contributing to numerous accidents. Turning this civic frustration into a data-driven solution, local engineer Gaurav Sen, founder of InterviewReady, has launched an artificial intelligence system designed to detect road damage, pinpoint its exact location, and identify the government contractor responsible for repairs.
How the AI System Works
Sen's innovative system integrates a dashcam, a GPS unit, and an accelerometer fitted inside his car. As he drives, these components continuously stream video footage and sensor metrics. AI vision models then process this live data, categorizing potholes by size (small, medium, or large) and accurately distinguishing them from standard speed breakers.
The underlying application, developed with assistance from OpenAI's Codex, captures this real-time data and forwards it to OpenAI models for advanced analysis. This automated detection method proves more effective at spotting subtle road flaws than traditional manual inspections, which often miss damage from a distance.
Linking Damage to Accountability
Beyond mere detection, a crucial feature of Sen's application is its ability to link identified potholes directly to public works contracts. The system scans approximately 2,900 government contracts, matching each damaged road segment to its specific tender, the assigned contractor, and the supervising government official. This linkage is particularly vital for roads still under warranty, ensuring that contractors are compelled to fix defects at no additional cost to taxpayers.
In a swift four seconds, the AI system compiles a comprehensive complaint record. This record includes an image of the pothole, its precise coordinates, the relevant tender ID, and the contact information of the designated officer, ready for submission to authorities like the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).
Public Reception and Future Impact
During a recent commute, Sen's system successfully detected 12 potholes along his route, providing documented evidence for official complaints. A video showcasing the setup, shared on Instagram and later on X (formerly Twitter), quickly gained significant traction. Viewers widely praised the practical utility of the tool for addressing a widespread hazard, urging civic authorities across India to adopt similar technological solutions to accelerate road maintenance and enhance accountability.