Drones pave the way forward in fight against potholes

FILED - Pothole-fixing drones are part of a larger effort from researchers in Leeds University to use robotics to create self-repairing cities that no longer require street works. Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

That mood-ruining irritation felt by drivers after unexpectedly hitting a pothole may soon be a thing of the past, as researchers look to the skies to pave a new way forward.  

A research team at the University of Leeds in Britain is working on drones that can autonomously identify, fix and prevent cracks in the road surface with the help of cameras and a 3D printer.