FutureLab developed a contact technology “cablewalker” for the diagnosis of power lines under voltage. After takeoff, the drone sits on the line, switches off the propellers, and starts moving along the wire with the help of the wheel module. The advantages of this technology are the ability to deliver diagnostic equipment without disconnecting the voltage and the possibility to overcome obstacles on the power wire. The detailed information about the project can be found on the company’s website.

The main problem is to ensure an accurate automatic landing on the wire. Tsuru robotics joined the project to help FutureLab with this problem. We will develop a system of an automatic drone landing on the wire in different types of landscapes and weather conditions, as well as optimize flight characteristics of the current vehicles.

The photo is taken from the FutureLab photo report.