How Artificial Intelligence is Fixing Australia’s Roads (and What It Means for Workshops)

As Aussies, we’ve been tackling rough roads since the early days of motoring. Back in 1948, when Holden rolled out the 48-215—known fondly as the FX—it was built with an impressive 8.5 inches of ground clearance. This wasn’t for show. It was a deliberate design choice to handle the potholes, unpaved tracks, and general roughness of Australian roads at the time.

Fast forward to today, and while the roads have improved, they’re still far from perfect. From the outback to the suburbs, potholes remain a common frustration for drivers and a persistent challenge for councils. But here’s the good news: artificial intelligence (AI) is stepping in to revolutionise how we maintain our roads, making them safer for drivers and opening up new opportunities for the automotive repair industry. With AI-driven road maintenance, smoother and safer journeys are becoming a reality.

Enter AI: The New Road Fixer

In New South Wales, an innovative system called Asset AI® is being trialled to take the guesswork out of road maintenance. It’s as clever as it sounds. Council vehicles—like garbage trucks—are fitted with cameras and sensors that scan the roads during their regular routes. The data collected is then analysed by AI, which detects issues like potholes, faded markings, and damaged signs.

Here’s what makes it a game-changer:

• Real-Time Data: Problems are spotted as they arise, rather than waiting for someone to report them.
• Prioritised Repairs: The AI ranks issues based on urgency, ensuring the most critical problems are tackled first.
• Cost Efficiency: By targeting repairs where they’re needed most, councils can make better use of their budgets.

The system has already been trialled in areas like Canterbury-Bankstown and Griffith, showcasing how AI-driven road maintenance is reshaping the roads we drive on. This cutting-edge approach highlights the importance of advanced diagnostic tools in identifying and addressing infrastructure issues, further ensuring smoother journeys.

Why AI Matters for Drivers (and Repairers)

For drivers, the benefits are clear. Better-maintained roads mean fewer bumps, less wear-and-tear, and a safer journey overall. But what does this mean for smash repair professionals?

While AI-driven road maintenance might reduce the number of pothole-related issues like bent rims or damaged suspensions rolling into workshops, it shifts the focus to more technical, higher-value jobs. These include:

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Calibration: Ensuring that modern vehicle safety systems, like lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, function as intended.
• OEM-Level Diagnostics: As vehicles become smarter, repairers will increasingly need to understand and repair the systems that enable autonomous driving and connected technologies.
• Workshop Technology Trends: Staying ahead of trends like remote diagnostics, ADAS calibration tools, and smart workshop solutions builds stronger reputations with customers and insurers alike.

With solutions like Repairify’s ADAS calibration services, advanced automotive diagnostics, and workshop solutions, repairers can future-proof their operations to match these evolving demands.

From Holden to High-Tech: Adapting to Change

The FX Holden’s high ground clearance was a perfect solution for its time, designed to handle the reality of rough roads. Similarly, today’s repair shops need to adapt to the changing landscape of automotive technology.

With AI stepping in to fix roads and transform vehicles, workshops need to embrace the tech:

• Invest in Training: Stay ahead of emerging systems like ADAS calibration, OEM-level diagnostics, remote diagnostics, and keeping up to date on workshop technology trends.
• Upgrade Tools: From calibration kits to advanced diagnostic tools, having the right tools is critical to handling modern vehicles.
• Leverage Partnerships: Solutions like Repairify’s Remote Services and calibration tools can provide the right workshop solutions, fill gaps, save time, and ensure top-quality results without requiring additional subcontractors.

Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in Road Maintenance

AI isn’t just improving road safety; it’s paving the way for predictive maintenance systems. Imagine identifying potential road hazards before they even form, preventing potholes from appearing in the first place. For councils and repairers alike, this means being proactive rather than reactive.

For workshops, the future is clear: staying prepared for these advancements ensures you remain competitive. Understanding AI-driven tools and their impact on vehicle repair will be crucial as these technologies become more mainstream. Embracing workshop technology trends and staying updated with innovations like ADAS calibration and being experts in advanced diagnostic tools will put workshops ahead of the curve.

Repairify: Your Partner in a Smarter Future

As roads get smarter and vehicles become more advanced, the repair industry must keep pace. At Repairify, we specialise in providing the tools and expertise needed to tackle the latest in automotive tech. From OEM-level diagnostics to advanced automotive diagnostics, we’re here to help your workshop stay ahead of the game.

Get in touch with Repairify today to learn more about how we can support your workshop with cutting-edge solutions. And don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for regular updates, tips, and insights tailored for Aussie repairers. Because whether it’s rough roads or high-tech vehicles, we’ve got your back.