Germany’s smart roads! Fraunhofer develops “self-aware streets” using AI and sensor mesh to predict cracks before they appear

Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute has developed SenAD2, an innovative real-time road monitoring system that uses hemp-based fabric embedded with conductive sensors to detect stress and microcracks within asphalt layers.

The collected data is analyzed by AI, which can predict potential damage before it occurs, helping reduce costly and delayed road repairs.

The project is funded by Germany’s Ministry of Transport and is currently being tested in industrial zones across the country — a major step toward smarter, longer-lasting, and more sustainable infrastructure.