Transport authority deploys robot to inspect culverts, boost road safety

The General Authority for Roads has introduced an advanced robot to inspect culverts, aiming to improve road maintenance, traffic safety, and infrastructure quality. The robot employs closed-circuit television (CCTV) technology, equipped with 4K cameras for front and rear views, high-intensity lighting, and a distance-measuring device.

It features an electric cable reel, an electric lift platform, and 360-degree rotation capabilities. The device can zoom in up to 10 times, provide autofocus, and transmit high-definition images in real-time to a control unit via tablet or laptop. The robot is resistant to water and comes in three different wheel sizes for optimal performance in various conditions.

It can record videos, capture images of defects, and pinpoint their locations. The robot's integrated software automatically identifies issues such as cracks, deformations, blockages, and tears, generating instant inspection reports and detailed data analysis. This initiative boosts the application of advanced technologies in road surveying, assessment, and maintenance, minimizes the need for personnel to enter hazardous areas, enhances diagnostic accuracy, and speeds up preventive maintenance.

The authority remains committed to utilizing innovative projects and initiatives to develop the road sector, aiming to reduce road traffic fatalities to fewer than five per 100,000 people, meet international safety standards, and maintain network efficiency according to the Road Sector Program.