Novi 7th-grader earns national award for pothole-detection invention
Novi middle school student Harshi Jariwala.
Although too young to drive, Novi middle school student Harshi Jariwala has developed a pothole-detection invention that she strongly believes will save roads, lives and money.
Jariwala was one of a handful of students from throughout the United States who were honored for their ideas at the 11th Annual RTX Invention Convention U.S. Nationals hosted by The Henry Ford in Dearborn.
This year, 513 students, representing 30 states, competed for more than 80 awards, which included cash prizes, trophies, medals and patent applications. The awards were presented at a special ceremony held June 5.
“Invention Convention programs develop tomorrow’s innovative problem-solvers, inventors and entrepreneurs,” a statement from the RTX Invention Convention said. “Students are challenged to create novel solutions to problems through hands-on, real-world, project-based learning, setting them on a course to shape a better future.”
Better way to detect potholes
Jariwala earned a third-place prize in the seventh grade Connectivity category for her invention she labeled PotholeSense: Smart Pothole Detection and Reporting using AI.
Students competed at local and regional levels before advancing to the U.S. national competition.
To participate, students submitted a video presentation of their invention, a prototype, an inventor’s logbook showing the journey of their invention process, and a poster board highlighting key points of the invention process.
“PotholeSense is a smart, fully automated pothole detection and reporting system designed to improve road safety and reduce vehicle damage,” Jariwala explained.
Improving current methods
“Today, potholes are mainly detected through manual reporting and periodic inspections, which are slow, inefficient, and delay repairs.
“Potholes cause serious problems, including vehicle damage, injuries, accidents, and high road repair costs for cities and insurance companies.
“These costs increase because many potholes are not reported early and become more severe over time. My system solves this problem by using sensors and artificial intelligence to detect and report potholes accurately in real time.
How it works …
An IMU sensor detects sudden vehicle motion caused by a pothole, and then an AI camera verifies the detection to reduce false alerts, Jariwala said. Once confirmed, a GPS module records the exact location and sends the data to government authorities for faster repairs, while also alerting drivers through navigation systems to help them avoid damage.
“This makes road maintenance more efficient and improves overall driving safety,” she continued.
“This system is fully automated, works on regular vehicles, and does not rely on human input or special equipment. By combining multiple technologies into one efficient system, my invention provides a faster, more accurate, and scalable solution to a major real-world problem.”
