Potholes in India are not just an everyday nuisance but a deadly risk. In 2023 alone, 2,161 lives were lost because of potholes, with UP and MP reporting the highest toll, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Across India, a new generation of AI-powered startups is reimagining road safety. RoadMetrics, based in Bengaluru and London, turns smartphone cameras into pothole detectors. Pune-based RoadBounce uses sensors to measure road roughness and sends alerts to civic bodies. Nayan Technologies has rolled out dashcams to flag real-time road defects. And perhaps the most recognisable startup to enter this space is leading EV two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy. It’s now collecting pothole data through its electric scooters.
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