Our goal is to modernize utility industry practices, enhancing efficiency, safety, and precision, while keeping the interest and wellbeing of utility workers in mind. As the world trends toward electrification, the grid must be able to keep up, demanding an increase in construction and demonstrating the need for a more resilient grid. Further, with the advent of climate change, storms, and major weather events, old infrastructure needs to be replaced at increasing rates.

Starting with a focus on improving the safety of lineworkers, our first prototype is a semi-autonomous robot designed to climb and drill wooden utility poles during the electrical line installation process. Current processes require lineworkers to climb poles manually, or stop traffic to reach heights via a bucket truck. The device consists of a three-wheel system that wraps around a pole for climbing and forms a platform on which tools can be mounted. On the platform, a 180-degree track positions a drill angularly, enabling through holes to be drilled at any angle while ensuring safety, accuracy, and efficiency. The passive suspension ensures the device can hold itself and its payload up during operation, while resisting rough wind and weather conditions.

Drilling is just the start! Using this platform, we are exploring other tools and use cases, including but not limited to: pole mesh wrapping and fire-proofing, pole inspection, and insulator hardware installation.