At BuiltWorlds’ recent Infrastructure Conference, a standout in the civil infrastructure sector emerged: Aren, a startup based in New York City, won the event’s Demo Day competition. Co-founded by Ali Khaloo, the company’s CEO who presented during the event, Aren aims to transform infrastructure management using digital twins and artificial intelligence.
A Bold Vision for Aging Infrastructure
Aren’s mission is simple: to bring geospatial analytics, AI, and structural engineering mechanics into one powerful asset management platform. In his pitch, Khaloo explained that the United States is grappling with a failing infrastructure system, with many assets well beyond their intended design life. The traditional approach to infrastructure evaluation remains outdated-engineers are still manually inspecting bridges, roads, and other critical structures for wear and tear.
Khaloo believes it’s time for a change. “We need a data-driven, proactive approach to asset management,” he stated, emphasizing that AI, paired with civil engineering expertise, is key to preventing disasters and optimizing maintenance efforts.
A Digital Twin for Every Asset
At the heart of Aren’s technology is its ability to create highly detailed 3D digital twins of infrastructure assets. Using AI-powered assessments, Aren offers a dynamic, time-based health evaluation of bridges, tollways, and more. Engineers can upload data to Aren’s platform, and the technology delivers insights into how an asset’s condition has changed over time, flagging potential risks before they become critical. Khaloo claims the platform also helps asset owners plan maintenance schedules more efficiently, reducing lifecycle costs by up to 50%.
As part of his Demo Day presentation, Khaloo highlighted a recent case study illustrating Aren’s impact. A private tollway in Europe used Aren’s technology to build a digital twin of its infrastructure. Through their proprietary analytics, Aren identified dangerous diagonal cracks in the tollway’s vertical supports-an issue that went previously unnoticed. Aren’s AI-powered assessment enabled the bridge maintenance team to reprioritize the repair schedule, avoiding potential disaster and ensuring safety.
Doubling Down on the Private Market
Aren’s potential market is massive. Starting with privately owned bridges and tollways in the U.S., the startup estimates a $6.3 billion opportunity in its initial focus area. As Khaloo sees it, this could evolve into a $300 billion market as more infrastructure owners turn to advanced technologies for better asset management. The startup is zeroing in on this beachhead market, determined to make a significant impact.
Aren ultimately received high scores from our Demo Day judging panel, especially in the categories of underlying technology and leadership capability. Khaloo and his team, who have expertise in AI, structural engineering, robotics and business, emphasized their holistic approach. They reportedly aim not only to create sophisticated models, but also to translate those insights into practical, actionable plans for asset owners.
Building a Future Where Infrastructure Thrives
Aren’s win at the BuiltWorlds Infrastructure Conference marks an exciting step toward a future where technology plays a central role in maintaining and improving the infrastructure we depend on daily. As Khaloo and his team continue to refine their technology, they are not just building software; they’re hoping to pave the way for safer, longer-lasting infrastructure across the globe.
Watch the full demo here.
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