ROSE: Robot for Automatic Spacer Installation in Overhead Power Lines

This paper describes the prototype of a robotic system for spacer installation in duplex aerial lines called (Robot for automatic spacer installation in Over-head Power lines) ROSE. This system has been tested and evaluated on a test bench at (Universidad Politecnica Madrid) UPM and actual overhead lines at Red Electrica facilities. The ROSE system is designed to autonomously navigate in a span and perform the spacer installation at a configurable distance in meters, according to line configuration. The system is supervised by an operator from the ground who follows the proper execution of each operation step. The operator receives process environmental data from four different video signals, and various sensor; all this data is transmitted via WIFI. Two robotic arms do spacer installation, the first for rod manipulation and the second focusing on the screw operations. ROSE also includes a vehicle that transports all components among pylons.

Automated summary

This paper describes the prototype of ROSE, a robotic system for automatic spacer installation in overhead power lines. The system has been tested and evaluated at UPM and Red Electrica facilities. It autonomously navigates and installs spacers at a configurable distance in meters. The system is supervised by an operator who receives environmental data from video signals and sensors via WIFI. Two robotic arms perform rod manipulation and screw operations, while a vehicle transports components.