Joseph Moore, who is a PhD. candidate at MIT, is currently working on a project that will allow drones to recharge while they’re in the air using power lines.
While the Federal Aviation Administration continues to discuss the use of commercial drones, others are moving forward with how best to implement their possible uses. One limitation given their onboard battery, is just how far they can travel.
Joseph Moore, who is a PhD. candidate at MIT, is currently working on a project that will allow drones to recharge while they’re in the air using power lines. Basically, the drone will be able to ‘perch’ directly over power lines and recharge using magnetic fields emitted by the lines.
The drone would be outfitted with a magnetometer, enabling it to detect nearby magnetic fields. When the drone’s battery is getting low, the system would alert the aircraft to head to the nearest power line to be re-charged.
It’s an intriguing concept and the system is still in the development phases with the perching aspect needing to be worked out. However Moore and his team are currently using a glider to prove that onboard electronics can direct the craft to reach contact with a power line.
