Bengaluru Engineer Builds AI App that Detects Potholes and Identifies Responsible Contractors

Bengaluru-based engineer Gaurav Sen has developed an AI pothole detection app that also identifies contractors responsible for repairing the roads. During a commute to work, Sen detected 12 potholes. The app captured and compiled the evidence needed to file complaints with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

How Does the Bengaluru AI Pothole Detection App Work?

Sen's AI road damage detection system features a dashcam, a GPS device, and an accelerometer. The three devices are fitted in a car and continuously capture video footage and driving data while distinguishing potholes from standard speed breakers.

The system generates recordings containing pothole images, location, and tender details. Using AI vision models, the system processes the video footage captured and categorizes potholes based on size, which include small, medium, or large. The Bengaluru road damage tracking system is powered by an application that runs on OpenAI’s advanced AI coding agent, Codex.

The app is designed to capture live video and sensor data as the vehicle moves, and sends it to OpenAI models for analysis. Unlike manual inspections, this process identifies road defects that can be difficult to spot from a distance more efficiently.

Matching Road Damage to Government Contracts

Beyond detecting potholes, Sen enhanced the road damage tracking system to identify the contractors responsible for maintaining specific roads. The app searches through roughly 2,900 government contracts and matches each detected pothole with the corresponding road tender, contractor, and supervision government official.

The AI pothole detection app can reportedly generate structured records within four seconds. Each record includes the image of the pothole, its exact location, the tender number, and the government official responsible for the road.

The innovative tool, which Sen showcased on Instagram and X, converts BBMP pothole complaints into trackable civic issues. Considering the safety risks facing Bengaluru motorists due to deep potholes, the new system can ensure that damages are fixed promptly, without additional costs to taxpayers. This is particularly important for roads that are still under warranty.

Positive Reactions on Social Media

Sen’s pothole detection app attracted positive reactions on social media. Many users praised the Bengaluru engineer for developing a system around a problem that affects motorists.

“Great initiative bro. Needs to be seen whether the contractors take any action on this. Also, it should send a notification to the concerned contractors. If not attended within a week, send it to their supervisor. How about that?” One user commented.

Another user called for the technology to be fitted in government vehicles. “This tech should be fitted in all govt vehicles and called up for real time analysis and transparently showcased on public sites to show real time logs and updates and incremental improvements.”

With wider adoption, AI-powered road monitoring tools could improve damage detection faster, improve accountability, and make urban roads safer.