Transitioning from horse travel to automobiles, mirroring a shift that occurred a century ago.

Autonomous Drone Technology Revolutionizes Power Line Maintenance

In the world of power line maintenance, a revolutionary change is on the horizon. A Russian company, "Laboratory of the Future," is leading the charge with its innovative drone technology known as "Cable Walker."

Currently, power line maintenance is largely dependent on manual inspections, which occur annually or every six years. However, in developed foreign markets, the higher costs and increased safety concerns associated with these manual inspections have made "Cable Walker" services economically advantageous.

"Cable Walker" is a drone technology that can autonomously take off, land on a wire, move along it, and perform diagnostic operations, local repair, and maintenance. One of its standout features is its electromagnetic compatibility technology, which allows it to operate on the wire of an energized line.

The brainchild of Alexander Lemeh, whose PhD research focused on software for managing large energy systems and the application of automation in the energy sector, "Cable Walker" has been a labour of love for the founder of "Laboratory of the Future," established in 2011.

In 2022, "Future Lab," as the company is known, plans to complete several pilot projects, hold a demonstration in France, perform around 2,000 km of work in Russia, and attract a strategic investor. The company also produces three additional drones: "Dragonfly," "Spider," and "Wasp." While "Cable Walker" focuses on diagnostics and maintenance, "Dragonfly" performs diagnostics, "Spider" conducts anti-corrosion or anti-icing treatment of the wire, and "Wasp" performs local repairs.

One of the key advantages of "Cable Walker" is its ability to travel long distances, up to 100 km, along lines in remote areas, a requirement energy companies have been seeking. In fact, "Future Lab" has already cooperated with European countries including Germany, France, and Spain in pilot projects using cable tension maintenance robots, and has plans for pilot projects in Saudi Arabia and Vietnam in the second half of 2025.

The company's field team demonstrates the drone's capabilities on a small section up to 100 km long for potential clients. "Cable Walker" operates at temperatures from -30 to +40 degrees Celsius, making it a versatile tool for various climates.

However, "Cable Walker" offers more than just convenience. According to Mr. Shikolev, damaged lightning protection wires cannot be spotted in a visual inspection but could break there. This is a significant safety concern that "Cable Walker" addresses by using a magnetic scanner to measure the loss of cross-section of a steel core in a power cable, a capability not possessed by others.

"Future Lab" employs 45 staff, mainly mechatronics engineers, electronics specialists, and IT professionals. The company's success is further supported by the Sverdlovsk Regional Fund for Entrepreneurship Support's Export Support Center, which assists in exports.

With over 300 million rubles invested in the "Cable Walker" project, it's clear that this technology is poised to change the landscape of power line maintenance. As "Future Lab" continues to innovate and expand, we can expect to see "Cable Walker" drones becoming a common sight on power lines around the world.

Transitioning from horse travel to automobiles, mirroring a shift that occurred a century ago.