China has deployed robots in the shape of “snakes” to inspect electricity transmission and distribution lines, in a move aimed at enhancing the stability of energy supplies and early detection of faults before they occur.
These robots wrap around electrical wires and move directly on them, equipped with cameras and sensors capable of monitoring malfunctions such as damaged wires, corrosion of components, and abnormal high temperatures that may indicate potential malfunctions.
According to media reports, these robots were able to inspect more than 80 miles (about 130 kilometers) of distribution lines that feed examination sites close to the no-fly zones around airports.
The results showed that the efficiency of this technology exceeds manual inspections by about three times, reducing the need for dangerous and arduous field work, and improving the reliability and safety of the network.
These robots are used in the city of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, southwest China, where they work along power lines to inspect vital infrastructure, according to media reports, including the South China Morning Post.
These systems are distinguished by their ability to operate in areas that are difficult for drones to reach, such as areas near airports or environments affected by electromagnetic interference, in addition to the possibility of operating them continuously.
This development comes within a broader trend in China to use robots, drones, and smart systems to monitor electricity networks, especially during sensitive periods such as national university entrance exams that require high stability in energy supplies.
