Charles Darwin University (CDU) has signed a AU$1.2 million partnership agreement to develop an autonomous robotic system capable of detecting and repairing road cracks with minimal human intervention.
The collaboration brings together CDU, Civiltech Solutions, and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC).
By combining LiDAR scanning, artificial intelligence, and 3D-printing technology, the project aims to move road maintenance away from manual, reactive repairs toward a precise, data-driven future.
Early crack sealing is a critical maintenance task that can significantly extend the life of a road, yet current practices rely heavily on manual inspections that often miss early-stage defects. This leads to inconsistent repairs and expensive pavement failures.
Researchers from CDU’s Centre for Asphalt and Road Technologies (CART), who received AU$500,000 in funding as part of the deal, will apply their expertise in materials engineering and robotics to enhance Civiltech’s existing LiDAR scanning platform.
“This project brings together a range of technologies to solve real-world infrastructure problems while building advanced engineering capability in the Northern Territory,” said CART Director, Dr Ali Rajabipour.
A key differentiator for the project is the use of additive manufacturing to produce lightweight, custom components for the robotic dispensing system. This allows the hardware to be optimised for Australia’s notoriously harsh environments and remote locations, where traditional machinery often falters.
Civiltech Solutions CEO Leigh Carnall noted that the project represents a major step toward modernising an industry that has remained largely manual for decades.
“By combining AI, robotics and advanced manufacturing, we can detect defects earlier and repair them with far greater precision, helping road authorities maintain networks more efficiently,” Carnall said.
Once the technology is successfully demonstrated, the partners plan to scale the system nationwide.
For local councils and road authorities, the robotic solution promises to reduce long-term maintenance costs, improve road safety, and ensure that Australia’s vast regional road networks remain resilient for years to come.