A significant breakthrough in drone technology has been achieved by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark. These drones, designed for the maintenance of critical infrastructure such as power lines, now have the ability to recharge their batteries directly from these lines.
Traditionally, power distribution companies and system operators such as Red Eléctrica have used drones to inspect power lines, taking advantage of videography to identify faults efficiently. The innovation lies in the fact that these drones can not only identify problems but also operate indefinitely by hooking up to power lines and recharging their batteries on the spot.
This self-recharging system is fully autonomous and can sustain prolonged operations without human intervention, equipped with advanced navigation and sensing technology to detect and approach power lines. Once in position, a clamping mechanism is activated to connect the drone to the cable, while a controller regulates the magnetic field to ensure both battery recharging and drone stability during the process.
Drones that recharge on power lines tested in real environments
The implementation of this technology has been tested in real environments, demonstrating the possibility of performing continuous maintenance tasks for extended periods, which represents a significant advance towards practically unlimited operational autonomy. This system not only optimizes the time and reduces the costs associated with power line maintenance, but also promises to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of these essential operations.
This development opens the door to new applications and improvements in the field of autonomous drones. Not only in infrastructure maintenance but also in areas such as agriculture, security, and environmental research, where prolonged operations without recharging can be crucial.
The ability to operate uninterruptedly could lead to a revolution in how we monitor and maintain not only our power grids, but also our ecosystems, cities, and beyond, ushering in a new era in autonomous robotics.
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Source: elperiodicodelaenergia.com
Photo: shutterstock
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