Cyvl.ai : Roadway Laser mapping

Cyvl.ai is a geospatial tech startup in Somerville, Massachusetts building solutions for infrastructure monitoring. They have created car-mounted dual LIDAR sensing & video camera rigs that scan roadways with high precision, and matching software that lets civil engineers create virtual 3d models of the roadways - known as digital twins. This data capture system solves for challenges municipalities face when they assess road conditions. An API is compatible with standard GIS mapping platforms for cataloging or analyzing features - pavement, signage, utilities, bridges, and overpasses.

Laser technology can produce more detailed and precise measurements than a traditional onsite inspection. By scanning it from a moving vehicle, you don't need anyone to get out of the car, interfere in traffic, or risk their safety. The capture is far greater in speed - just the time it takes to drive by. It is even able to determine the smoothness of the roadway surface.

One use case is for scanning the pavement to ID potholes and cracks. In New England, icy conditions split and gouge the surface of roads relentlessly. Locating and scanning every pothole efficiently creates actionable information for planning and deploying repair efforts. This is an ever-ongoing process for every city as seasons pass and infrastructure ages. The system can also determine the smoothness of the roadway surface. Another is for identifying signage, fire hydrants, light posts, trees, and a growing number of features you may encounter along the street. AI algorithms are trained to detect common features, classify them, log them, and georeferencing them.