Researchers of the Lanzhou Branch, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have recently developed a robot system able to do routine checks on high voltage power transmission lines. The new automatic system, designed to make routine examination of high voltage transmission power lines, has filled up a domestic blank in the field.

The robot watchdog consists of a robot performing examination and a ground control system. The robot is made up of a power source system, body, control system, testing equipment, and telecommunication component. The ground system houses up-and- down links and a base station. Experiments have shown that the robot is able to automatically cruise along the rack line above the high voltage power transmission cables. Its carrying-on camera or infrared imager, capable of detecting the damages or injuries in power transmission lines, shock proof hammer, insulators and poles, is able to send its collected data and images, via a wireless transmission system, to the base station. The base station, responsible for receiving, displaying and storing data and images send from the robot, can control and test the operating robot remotely.