This Ingenious Drone Recharges On The Go
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Drones have come a long way since the first model that barely lifted two feet (60 cm) off the ground was unveiled in 1907. Modern quadcopters can soar to high altitudes and perform a wide range of tasks. However, their capabilities are often curbed by limited battery life.
To overcome this limitation, Professor Emad Ebeid and his team at the University of Southern Denmark have developed an innovative technology. It enables drones to recharge their batteries directly from overhead power lines.
When the drone’s battery runs low, an internal computer uses radar sensors and cameras to find the nearest power line. The drone then flies beneath it and attaches itself using a specially designed gripper. Once securely connected, a magnetic circuit activates, allowing the drone to draw power from the line. This process is similar to how wireless chargers power phones. After recharging, the quadcopter can resume its tasks.
The drone, unveiled in March 2024 at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, is still in the prototype stage. However, in tests conducted, a 9.5-pound (4.3 kg) version successfully recharged itself five times and stayed airborne for over two hours.
Professor Ebeid believes that once fully developed, these drones could revolutionize various industries. He is especially enthusiastic about using them for power line inspections and maintenance. This process, which currently relies on helicopters and ground crews, is inefficient and costly. These drones will greatly improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety.
Resources: Fastcompany.com, NewAtlas.com
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50 Comments
- ithornton4 monthsso cool
yozixityst4r5 monthsthis is wild
zsssss5 monthsThis AMAZING!!!- dydesipy-1727096246115 monthsthis is crazy
- rejyvamo-1727096247905 monthsI like it
- bellykelly6 monthsWhen these come out there gonna be soooo expensive
sukuna7 monthsanyway I wonder when this will release and when it does it's probably gonna go so popular but really cool- dydesipy-1727096246115 monthsI hope so
- sukuna7 monthsI hope I can buy this soon its so cool
- sukuna7 monthsThis is so smart
porg137 monthsthis is actually so genious