Experiments are underway to test a system that allows drones to fly for long periods by supplying power directly from power lines
Drones are mainly used for aerial photography, military purposes, and cargo transportation, but due to their small size, their short flight time remains a challenge in operation. Normally, they are charged on the ground, but new attempts are being made to charge them in the air using electric wires.
Autonomous Overhead Powerline Recharging for Uninterrupted Drone Operations — University of Southern Denmark
Autonomous Overhead Powerline Recharging for Uninterrupted Drone Operations - ICRA 2024 - YouTube
Viet Duong Hoang of the University of Southern Denmark and his colleagues are experimenting with a system that charges drones using overhead power lines strung in the air.
The drone prototype developed by Hoang and his team is equipped with a grip to grab electric wires.
The drone uses sensors to detect power lines while flying, approaches them, and then grabs the wire directly with its grip to charge.
In an experiment in which the drone repeatedly flew and charged for long periods without landing, it was able to steadily receive 50W of power from a wire carrying about 300A.
As the system is refined, it will become lighter and more efficient, enabling longer flight times with shorter charging times, which could lead to the creation of drone delivery services with longer flight times and minimal human intervention.
On the social networking site Hacker News , some people said that the system would be inexpensive to build because it could use existing power lines, while others said it would present a nightmare to power companies about power theft.
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