Ather Energy, a city-based EV start-up, has introduced Pothole+ Alerts for its customers who own Gen2 scooters such as Ather 450 Apex, 450X and Rizta Z.

The feature leverages data generated by Ather’s connected scooter fleet to warn riders about potholes, broken road sections, uneven surfaces and speed breakers ahead while navigating, claimed the company.

Announcing the rollout, Ather co-founder and CEO Tarun Mehta said the feature had been nearly nine years in the making. “The challenge was never the idea. It was the data,” he said. He explained that building the feature required a large connected fleet travelling the same roads over time, allowing Ather to generate the scale of fleet intelligence needed to accurately identify road conditions.

Alerts would be displayed on the dashboard of the scooter and would also be delivered through its scooter’s speakers to the rider over a bluetooth headset. The new feature is also equipped to suggest the riders the smoothest route before a ride begins.