China uses robots to replace humans in maintaining high-voltage power lines

Guangdong Crownpower Electric Technology Company (China) is pioneering the application of robots in high-voltage power line maintenance, aiming to replace humans in dangerous tasks.

Instead of developing humanoid robots like many other companies, Crownpower focuses on designing specialized robots for grid inspection and maintenance, not only in China but also expanding to the international market.

Founded in 2006 in Foshan, Guangdong Province, the company initially provided electrical safety solutions to mobile carrier China Telecom. Crownpower began developing robots in 2018 after using drones for inspection in 2013 and creating coatings for power lines in 2008.

One of Crownpower's standout products is a 27kg de-icing robot that can operate continuously over a 1,000-metre stretch after being attached to a transmission line by a drone.

Additionally, a 54-kilogram X-ray detection robot moves along power cables at a speed of 6 meters per minute to check for potential damage. Workers can remotely control the robot within sight from a distance of more than 200 meters.

Crownpower signed its first overseas customer in Chile last year and is stepping up its overseas promotions. The company’s latest robots were on display at the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) from April 15 to 19 this year, attracting interest from countries including the United States, Canada, Brazil, India and Russia.

The growing interest in Crownpower's robots outside China reflects how advanced technologies, particularly in the power sector, are responding to efforts to remove human labor from potentially deadly jobs.

With about a third of its more than 140 employees involved in research and development, Crownpower is now working to make its robots smarter, especially since many of these machines are remotely controlled.

The critical infrastructure market served by Crownpower’s robots in China is expected to continue to grow. The country’s two state-owned grid developers, State Grid and China Southern Power Grid, plan to invest about $412 billion in building and upgrading their networks under the country’s 14th five-year plan from 2021 to 2025.