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LineScout Robot Powerline Inspector Saves Lives and Money

by Terrence O'Brien on August 22, 2010 at 03:00 PM

Powerline inspector
Believe it or not, power lines are not self-sustaining. They get damaged, get worn, and ultimately fail with spectacular consequences. It's actually somebody's job to get up on those poles and high-tension towers, and inspect those cables to make sure they're still in working order. Needless to say, maneuvering cables with tens-of-thousands of volts pumping past is not exactly the safest of occupations, especially in Canada, where lines cross large swaths of rugged terrain. Hydro-Quebec's LineScout robot roams the province's electrical infrastructure, identifying problem areas putting a person in harm's way.

This remote-controlled inspector provides visible light and infrared video footage, the latter of which engineers then analyze as they look for telltale signs of impending problems. It can even bypass obstacles by partially detaching itself from the power line. LineScout doesn't just save lives by keeping technicians out of unnecessary danger; it also saves money and time by allowing inspections to be done faster and with smaller crews. While, normally, robots stealing human jobs would have people up in arms, we don't think Hydro-Quebec's employees will be too upset about not having to strap themselves to thousands of barely contained volts of electricity 100 feet in the air. Check out the video of the LineScout in action after the break.

Tags: canada, hydro quebec, HydroQuebec, infrastructure, linescout, power line, power lines, PowerLine, PowerLines, safety

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