Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed an autonomous flying drone that can recharge itself from overhead power lines when its battery runs low. When it senses its battery is nearly depleted, it seeks out the nearest three-phase overhead power lines. It approaches them from below, grasping the line and sucking power from them until it’s fully charged again. I wish I could recharge my own battery from power lines, instead I just have to guzzle coffee all day.
The drone, which was constructed using a Tarot 650 Sport carbon fiber quadrocopter frame, “boasts a Raspberry Pi 4 B mini computer, a Pixhawk V6X autopilot module, a millimeter-wave radar unit, and an RGB video camera,” which it uses to locate power lines when it’s battery is low. The idea was that the drone can operate as continuously as possible by repeating a flying, landing, recharging, and takeoff cycle. That’s pretty handy, provided there are always power lines nearby.
Once identified, a passively actuated gripping mechanism grasps the powerline cable during landing after which a control circuit regulates the magnetic field inside a split-core current transformer to provide sufficient holding force as well as battery recharging.
Wait — so there’s free power dangling from all those telephone poles in my neighborhood? How can I tap into those like this drone? I’m asking for a friend who’s tired of paying ridiculously high electricity bills. Also, if there’s a similar hack for water, I’d like to hear that, too, because I do enjoy long showers.
[via TechEBlog]
With over 17 years of writing experience, Jonathan has had a passion for all things tech-related, ever since watching Inspector Gadget as a child. He's disassembled countless appliances and managed to put a few back together, and one still works. When not writing, he can often be found playing video games or accidentally hurting himself in the garage.