Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have made significant progress in developing a new drone technology that allows drones to recharge directly from power lines, potentially revolutionizing various industries that rely on drones for inspections and monitoring purposes.

The team attached a gripper system to a customized Tarot 650 Sport drone, equipping it with an electric quadcopter propulsion system, an autopilot module, and other essential components. When the drone's battery detects a low charge, it utilizes its camera and millimeter-wave radar system to locate the nearest power line. Using a pair of inward-sloping arms, the drone flies up beneath the power line and guides the cable into the gripper. The inductive charger then draws current from the power line, charging the drone's battery. Once fully charged, the gripper releases the line, and the drone can resume its mission.

Primarily aimed at inspecting power lines, this self-charging drone system promises longer flight durations, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements. During a real-world test, the drone successfully remained airborne for over two continuous hours, undergoing five cycles of power line inspection and charging. This successful demonstration highlights the potential of this innovative technology to sustain long-duration operations in challenging outdoor environments.

The researchers anticipate deploying this charging system for drones that inspect power lines by 2022. The improved gripper system and effective real-world use case were recently presented at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation.

The ability to recharge from power lines would greatly benefit drone operations in remote areas, such as mountain tops, where manual inspection of power lines is challenging. However, concerns over potential risks associated with drones clamping onto power lines persist. Any mishap could result in damage to power lines, potentially leading to power outages in entire regions.

Alternative methods, such as charging pads for drones, exist and could provide a potentially safer option. However, implementing charging pads would require additional infrastructure and space.

Overall, the development of drones that recharge from power lines marks a significant advancement in drone technology, opening up new possibilities for extended flight durations and more efficient inspection and monitoring processes. As the researchers continue to refine the system, industry experts eagerly anticipate their integration into various sectors that rely on drones for critical operations.