A Startup Is Using AI to Fix Cities’ Aging Infrastructure

  • Fixing water pipes in U.S. alonge will cost $1 trillion
  • Fracta is looking to expand business in U.S., Japan, Europe
Takashi KatoPhotographer: Kentaro Takahashi/Bloomberg
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When a fifth of the residents of Wakayama in southwestern Japan faced a three-day water stoppage last week to fix a 60-year-old pipe network, they rushed to get ready, only to learn that the repairs could be made without a shutdown.

Some 3,000 complaints were filed to city officials, who said they had no way of knowing until they dug up the pipes.