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You know that moment. You drive, and everything feels smooth. Just then, your car hits a pothole that you never saw coming.
It’s frustrating. It can also be expensive and dangerous. Repairs are quick, and unexpected road damage can lead to accidents.
Now, Waymo and Waze are trying to tackle that problem in a new way. Instead of waiting for people to report potholes after the fact, they want to see them as they happen and help cities respond quickly.
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RESEARCHERS DEVELOP REVOLUTIONARY AI DEVELOPMENT THAT PREDICTS ROAD DAMAGES BEFORE THEY HAPPEN.
Waymo and Waze use self-driving car data to detect potholes in real-time and warn drivers before they hit road hazards. (Waymo)
How Waymo found potholes behind the scenes
Waymo’s robotaxis already spends hours on the road each day. While driving, they constantly scan their surroundings using cameras, sensors and onboard software. That technology is now being used to identify potholes.
When a Waymo vehicle detects a traffic problem, that information is shared through Waze’s “Waze for Cities” platform. Cities and transportation departments can access the data at no cost. At the same time, the information appears in the Waze app so drivers can see warnings as they approach the problem area.
There is also a built-in human layer. Waze users can confirm or flag potholes, which helps improve accuracy over time. That combination of machine detection and real-world feedback creates a more reliable picture of road conditions.
Why this is a big change in how cities fix potholes
Many cities still rely on residents to report potholes through 311 systems or online forms. The staff then investigates and decides what to fix first. That process takes time and often leaves gaps. Some pits are not reported. Some were reported too late. In many cases, cities end up reacting instead of getting ahead of the problem.
This new approach changes that. By using real-time data from vehicles already on the road, cities can see where problems are forming and respond more quickly. It also helps them see patterns, which can improve the way they plan repairs and allocate resources.
Where the Waymo and Waze pilot program works
The partnership is still in its early stages, but it is already active in several large municipal areas. The rollout includes the San Francisco Bay Area as well as Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta. These are places where Waymo already operates, making it easy to collect consistent data.
Even now, this program has identified about 500 potholes in those cities. That gives you a sense of how much damage can be seen without constant vigilance.
Over time, the companies plan to expand into more regions, including areas where weather conditions make potholes common.
INDEPENDENT PODS CAN REDEFINE SHARING WITH THRILLING
A Waymo robot drives down California Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Dec. 8, 2025. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Why potholes are a bigger problem than they seem
Pitfalls may sound a little annoying, but they have real consequences. They can damage tires, disrupt their alignment and lead to expensive repairs. In some cases, they contribute to accidents, especially when drivers swerve to avoid them or hit them at high speed.
There is also the problem of impartiality. Areas that rely on resident reports may see uneven care. Some areas get fixed quickly while others wait a long time simply because few reports come in.
By combining automatic detection with user input, this system aims to close those gaps and provide cities with a more comprehensive view of traffic conditions.
What does this mean to you?
You may not think much about the technology behind road maintenance, but it directly affects your daily driving. If this method develops, it can lead to fewer unexpected potholes and faster repairs to the roads you use every day. It could also mean better warnings in navigation apps, giving you more time to react and avoid damage.
There is also a long-term benefit. Better data can help cities better maintain roads, which can reduce wear and tear on your vehicle and reduce the risk of unexpected repairs. On a broader level, it shows how data collected for one purpose can develop something completely different. In this case, the same systems that guide self-driving cars can make everyday driving safer for everyone.
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AIR TAXIS CUT HOUR LONG JOURNEYS TO MINUTES, DRIVERS MAY INCREASE PRICES
A Waymo driverless taxi parked on a street in San Francisco on Feb. 15, 2023. (Terry Chea/AP)
Kurt’s priority is taking
This may sound like a small idea at first. But it points to something much bigger. For years, cities have been at a standstill when it comes to road maintenance. They rely on slow reports and limited data, which means problems are often fixed late or missed altogether. Now, that may be starting to change. With Waymo’s vehicles constantly scanning the streets, cities can get continuous real-world data without building a whole new system from scratch. If this driver works, it could change the way cities live over road maintenance. And it’s another example of how private technology is beginning to shape public infrastructure in ways most people have never seen. That would be a good thing. But it also raises a big question about where that line should be drawn.
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Have potholes ever cost you money or damage, and do you think technology like this could really make a difference? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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