Overview of robotic applications for energized transmission line work — Technologies, field projects and future developments

Abstract

The increase in live-line work procedures has stimulated the development and use of robotic devices to minimize risk to field personnel safety and to power system reliability when performing live-line work. This paper provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art and an assessment of the future directions for transmission line robotics and includes automation and robotics technologies for transmission line maintenance, assessment/monitoring, and repair. Furthermore, the focus is on applications, real world experiences and detailed technology descriptions of robots for energized transmission line work. This paper presents partial results from a project performed by Quanta Technology for the Transmission Line Asset Management Group of CEATI International and includes three main phases: robotic technologies, results of utility surveys and results from interviews with utilities and robot service providers.