Imagine a future in which drones are able to effortlessly refuel on power lines whenever needed, allowing them to stay in the air eternally. This futuristic picture is coming true because of an experimental quadcopter created by researchers at the University of Southern Denmark.
This cutting-edge technology, which was primarily created for autonomous drones performing power line inspections, has the potential to completely transform the drone market. Based on a commercial Tarot 650 Sport carbon fiber frame, the quadcopter is equipped with an electric propulsion system, a 7,000 mAh lithium-polymer battery, and state-of-the-art electronic parts like an RGB video camera, a Pixhawk V6X autopilot module, a Raspberry Pi 4 B microcomputer, and a millimeter-wave radar unit.
The key innovation lies in the drone’s ability to autonomously locate and attach to power lines for recharging. Equipped with a passively actuated power-line-gripper, the drone uses its camera and radar to identify the nearest power line when its battery is low. It then ascends and attaches to the line from underneath, using a cable guide to secure its grip.
Once attached, a magnetic control circuit maintains a firm grip on the power line while an inductive charger on the drone draws current, recharging the battery. When fully charged, the gripper releases, allowing the drone to resume its inspection duties.
In the course of testing, it has been found that the drone managed to fly for two hours and thirty minutes, as well as refilled the battery of this vehicle five times during inspections at Denmark’s HCA Airport. At the moment, researchers have shifted their efforts to designing a more sustainable version of the technology, which they intend to test in extreme conditions and adverse weather patterns.
The far-reaching implications of this breakthrough innovation extend not only to the application of drone inspection but also to numerous other applications with drones. With improvements, drones using this kind of technology may revolutionize agriculture, infrastructure assessment, and emergency response industries, resulting in prolonged flying periods and better productivity.
The video below will show you how the drone performs; stay tuned for further information about this invention that can turn the game upside down.
