First Successful Implementation of Robot10kV Live OperationMaking Production Safer and More Efficient
On September 22, a new generation of live operation robots was officially put into practical use on a 10kV power line in the Hantai District. This orange robot is controlled by ground technicians via a tablet, using insulated mechanical arms and advanced sensors to perform complex operations such as stripping insulation from wires and installing diversion lines, achieving “zero contact” between humans and high voltage electricity. If this new customer line work were to follow traditional methods, it would require a power outage, affecting surrounding businesses and thousands of residents. However, the robot operation avoids this issue, marking a new level of intelligence in the company’s distribution network operation and maintenance.
PART 01
Technological Empowerment: Transitioning from Manual Operations to AI Operations
“In the past, performing 10kV live operations required our employees to wear heavy shielding suits, operating under great psychological pressure in extreme heat or cold, referred to in the industry as ‘dancers on the edge of a knife,'” said Luo Jinhong, the on-site work leader and senior technical expert. “This nearly 20-pound shielding suit was their ‘golden bell cover,’ but even so, risks still existed.”
The newly deployed live operation robot integrates cutting-edge technologies such as visual recognition, deep learning, and high-precision control. It can withstand strong electric fields and electromagnetic interference, and its operational stability and precision surpass the limits of manual operations. Engineer Chen Haoli added, “The robot does not get tired, does not fear risks, and will not be distracted due to fatigue. Especially in harsh weather conditions such as high humidity and extreme cold, it can replace humans in completing high-risk tasks, greatly expanding the operational window for live work.”
PART 02
Far-Reaching Impact: Ensuring Power Supply for the Public and Promoting Industrial Upgrades
The 10kV distribution network is the “last mile” directly facing users, and its stable operation is crucial. The widespread application of live operation robots means that in the future, the vast majority of maintenance and fault elimination work on distribution lines can be completed without users being aware, achieving the quality service goal of “no power outages or minimal outages,” providing solid technical support for optimizing the business environment and ensuring power supply for the public.
The deputy director of the company’s distribution network department stated, “Promoting live operation robots not only liberates workers from high-risk environments but also represents a profound transformation in the operation and maintenance model of the power grid. It signifies the future direction of smart grid development. Next, we plan to gradually promote this technology citywide and actively explore 5G remote control technology to achieve ‘one-click operation,’ ultimately establishing an ‘unmanned’ inspection and operation system.”
As the mechanical arm of this orange robot steadily retracted, the live operation task was successfully completed without impacting any users in the jurisdiction. Its successful deployment is not only a technical demonstration but also a clear signal: artificial intelligence is deeply empowering traditional industries, safeguarding the power grid that lights up thousands of homes, and is illuminating the future in a safer and smarter way.
END
Author: Ding Peng
Editor: Yang Zihan
Reviewer: Liu Shan, Li Wei
