Denmark develops drone that recharges using power lines

Researchers in Denmark have developed tech that may well prove revolutionary in power grid surveys – and for UAV flight capacity generally: a drone that can tap into the same power lines it is inspecting to recharge its batteries, then continue on with its mission.

The breakthrough by the team at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) promises a solution to overcome one of the basic limitations of UAV operation – relatively short battery life – by allowing the craft to replenish its reserves while in flight. But in making self-recharging drones compatible with the high voltage power lines they’re designed to inspect, researchers hope to also permit utility companies to use UAVs for other work on electricity-transmitting infrastructure that usually must be taken offline to handle.

Read: U.S. Army to fund autonomous drone charging system study

The development will hearten private pilots and enterprise drone users who’d love a sapped battery…