Nomadic Drones, a spin-off from GUC Berkeley now operating from Munich, offers self‑charging, perching drones that live on high‑voltage power lines.
These compact devices weigh approximately 2 kg and perch directly on conductors, using the electromagnetic field to recharge their batteries—typically in around two hours—before resuming inspections. Equipped with high‑resolution cameras and sensors, they continually monitor factors like cable temperature, line sag and hardware condition without returning to base.
The motivation came from the devastating California wildfires of 2018, which highlighted the need for continuous, proactive grid surveillance. After initial funding and interest from utilities, Nomadic Drones trialled the technology with European partners, such as Westnetz, refining materials and robustness for outdoor deployment.
Data collected by the drones is analysed via an AI‑driven platform that identifies potential issues—thermal hotspots, mechanical wear, structural degradation—helping utilities respond swiftly without manually sifting through hours of footage. While regulations for autonomous Beyond‑Visual‑Line‑of‑Sight (BVLOS) operations remain a hurdle in the U.S., power line corridors often fall in restricted airspace where exemptions are feasible. Nomadic Drones is preparing pilot programmes with PG&E contractors, aiming for broader deployment.
Ultimately, they envision a fleet of permanently deployed drones: anywhere from 100 to 1,000 units providing real‑time, continuous oversight across entire networks. This would give utilities near‑instant visibility into faults, reducing outage risk and maintenance cost, with minimal impact on the lines themselves.
Source: EEPower
