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.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Environment
2026 will be the hottest year on record, leading scientist predicts
News

Technology
NHS England rushes to hide software over AI hacking fears
News

ÎçÒ¹¸£Àû1000¼¯ºÏ
The 4 biggest myths about hydration, according to an expert
Comment

Life
Oak trees use delaying tactics to thwart hungry caterpillars
News
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles
1
We have figured out a new way to send messages into the past
2
Human heads have changed shape a lot in the past 100 years
3
Why the keto diet could be a revolutionary way to treat mental illness
4
Is consciousness more fundamental to reality than quantum physics?
5
QBox theory may offer glimpse of reality deeper than quantum realm
6
100-year-old assumption about the universe may soon be overturned
7
The 4 biggest myths about hydration, according to an expert
8
Thought-provoking photographs capture what it feels like to have ADHD
9
Humans are the only primates with a chin – now we finally know why
10
We may finally have a cure for many different autoimmune conditions