A team from the Guandu District Power Supply Bureau in China has developed robotic snakes capable of inspecting power lines and ensuring a stable electricity supply.
According to its developers, the snake-like robots wrap themselves around power lines while using onboard cameras and sensors to detect hazards like damaged wires, worn components and abnormal temperatures — all of which are possible signs of imminent failure.
Source: Xinhua/X
Following a series of trials wherein the robots have already inspected more than 80 miles of distribution lines serving exam sites near airport no-fly zones, the snake-like robots have proven to be three times more efficient than manual inspections. As such, these devices promise to reduce the need for labor-intensive, hazardous work while also improving reliability and safety.
Although aerial drones are commonly used for performing power-line inspections, the robotic snakes are capable of operating directly on the cables they monitor. This enables the robots to work in locations where drones typically cannot, for instance, near airport no-fly zones. Likewise, the snake-like robots are less vulnerable to high-voltage electromagnetic interference, which can disrupt drone control systems and reduce image quality.
Making it possible for the snake robot to move along powerlines is its flexible, multi-jointed body. This design, the team explained, allows the robot to reach areas that are tough for human inspectors and aerial drones to reach. Using the camera and onboard sensors, which are located in the robot’s head, the system is able to detect potential faults and safety risks, while a non-contact power-harvesting system enables the robot to harness energy right from the power lines being inspected.
