AI Road Diagnostics Startup From Russia Secures Major Investment
A team of young developers from Yakutsk has built a computer vision system that can detect and predict road damage—and now they’ve found the funding to bring it to life.
A group of programmers from “School 21” in Yakutsk has attracted investment to commercialize its AI-powered road monitoring system. The startup’s computer vision model analyzes video from roadside cameras to identify cracks, potholes, and other pavement defects, tracking how they evolve over time.
The system goes further than simple detection. By correlating road conditions with external factors such as weather, traffic levels, and surface types, the algorithm can predict wear and recommend timely maintenance. The process involves multiple stages: converting video into digital data, isolating key features like edges and textures, and automatically detecting problem areas.
“School 21,” founded by the Russian financial conglomerate Sber, offers free IT education to anyone, regardless of background or experience. Its students are encouraged to develop real-world projects like this one—combining artificial intelligence, data analysis, and engineering to address everyday challenges.
