AI-Powered Road Scanners Monitor Russia’s Urban Infrastructure

Cities like Ufa are turning to mobile AI units to spot potholes, faded markings, and even illegal ads. The tech is streamlining municipal upkeep and boosting repair response times.

Artificial intelligence is taking to the streets—literally—in Russia’s urban infrastructure. In the city of Ufa, AI-enabled mobile scanners are now responsible for monitoring road conditions and reporting maintenance needs with machine precision.

Previously, this task fell to a small team of seven inspectors. But human eyes can miss things. AI doesn’t. These mobile systems analyze not only the road surface but also sidewalks, signs, lane markings, trash bins, and bus shelters—identifying cracks, dents, or even unauthorized stickers with ease.

The results speak volumes: last year, the system logged 5,120 issues. This year, it has already flagged 4,943—and each one is swiftly addressed by city crews.

And that’s just the beginning. By winter, the AI will also monitor for ice buildup, snow removal efficiency, lane blockages from snowbanks, and even icicles on rooftops. The system is already being adopted elsewhere. In Nizhny Novgorod, for instance, 18 such units are deployed, all powered by Russian-developed software.

As AI quietly revolutionizes urban maintenance, these intelligent vehicles are making cities not only cleaner and safer, but also more responsive.