# Road-Repairing Robots The 'Addibot' Mobile Robot Could Help to Revolutionize Road Repairs By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2016-01-21 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mobile-robot References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/addibot-3d-printer-roads/41425/) & [addibots](http://www.addibots.com/index) As more consumers move into urban locations more than ever in history, the need for modern ways to support the infrastructure are being required as seen with the 'Addibot' mobile robot. Essentially working like a 3D printer on wheels, the 'Addibot' is the work of [Harvard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Artificial-muscle-materials) alumni Robert Flitsch who is a mechanical engineer. The 'Addibot' works by moving along a set course to fill in cracks and damages via a printing system. Trialled on an ice rink, the 'Addibot' robot went to work repairing cracks in the ice, which allowed researchers to see the promise the technology holds. With continued development and research, the 'Addibot' mobile robot could one day help to not only [fill potholes in the roads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polis), but perhaps even lay the roads itself. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Mobile Road Repair Robots:** The 'Addibot' mobile robot presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the road repair industry, potentially revolutionizing the way potholes are filled and roads are laid. - **3D Printing Technology:** The utilization of 3D printing technology in road repair, as demonstrated by the 'Addibot' robot, opens up disruptive innovation opportunities for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure maintenance. - **Urban Infrastructure Solutions:** The increasing urbanization trend creates a demand for innovative solutions like the 'Addibot' robot that can support and revolutionize road repairs in cities, offering disruptive opportunities for urban infrastructure development. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Construction:** The construction industry can leverage the 'Addibot' mobile robot technology to streamline road repair processes and reduce costs, paving the way for disruptive innovation in infrastructure development. - **Robotics:** The robotics industry can explore the use of mobile road repair robots like the 'Addibot' to introduce disruptive innovations that automate and optimize road maintenance operations for better infrastructure management. - **Transportation:** The transportation industry can benefit from the development of mobile road repair robots such as the 'Addibot,' offering opportunities for disruptive innovation in maintaining safer and more efficient road networks. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Automated Worksite Printer Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hp-siteprint.md) - [Adaptable Four-Wheeled Delivery Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avride-robot.md) - [Automated Tire-Changing Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tire-changing-system.md) - [Automated Land Surveying Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/civ-robotics.md) - [Autonomous Food Delivery Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-mobile-robot.md) - [Autonomous Support Cargo Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evobot.md) - [Salt-Infused Roadway Asphalts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/asphalt-additive.md) - [Bio-Inspired Transforming Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bioinspired-transforming-robot.md) - [Semi-Outdoor Foldable Wheelchairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robooter.md)