SkySweeper - Robots test cheap power lines

A wire-checking robot for under $ 1,000 has just been introduced at the Jacobs School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego.

Testing electrical lines is a difficult, time-consuming and often dangerous task. Therefore, when inspecting high tension lines, they must either cut off electricity or use helicopters, protective clothing and static balancing equipment. Although there are robots to do this, they have all the downsides.

Nick Morozovsky, a mechanical engineering graduate student, said, "Currently, robots for testing lines are bulky, complex and expensive. Electric companies often use unmanaged or unmanaged airplanes to do this. But it's much simpler for SkySweeper. "

SkySweeper was designed by Morozovsky at the University of California, San Diego lab and Tom Bewley aerospace engineering professor.

This robot looks like a plastic toy, has a V-shaped design and uses an elbow- controlled engine in between. At each end of the 'elbows' are attached to grips to alternately capture and move gradually when moving. Morozovsky is focusing on increasing the strength of the forceps.

Currently, the elbow motor is using energy from conventional batteries. However, Morozovsky said it could be equipped with additional induction coils that would allow it to draw power from the power lines itself.

SkySweepery is made up of commercially available electronics and plastic parts. As a result, its price is just under $ 1,000.