Robotic snakes inspect Chinese power lines for crucial college entrance exams

Robotic snakes are now patrolling power lines in southwestern China, tasked with ensuring a stable electricity supply for the nation's high-stakes college entrance exams. These specialized robots are deployed in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, where they spiral around power lines to identify potential hazards.

The snakelike devices meticulously check for issues such as broken wires, worn components, and abnormal temperature readings. Developed by the power supply bureau of Kunming's Guandu district, the robotic snake has already inspected over 130 kilometers (81 miles) of power distribution lines supplying exam sites. Officials report that the robots have proven three times more efficient than traditional manual inspection methods.

Manual inspection of power lines is a labor-intensive, challenging, and often dangerous task. While aerial drones have been widely adopted for similar purposes, they face limitations. Drones can be hampered by high-voltage electromagnetic interference, affecting their control and the quality of their recorded images. Furthermore, they have restricted battery life and are susceptible to weather conditions.

The Kunming Power Supply Bureau, part of the state-owned China Southern Power Grid, stated on social media that power company personnel tracked and promptly addressed the hazards identified by the robots. This swift action ensured a stable and orderly power supply to the examination venues during the critical period.

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Power company personnel tracked and promptly addressed the hazards that were identified to ensure a stable and orderly power supply to examination venues.