Blog - Video: Maintenance Robots Climb Wind Towers

Video: Maintenance Robots Climb Wind Towers

Operators and inspectors have traditionally gained access to massive wind towers and their huge blades by using cranes, bucket trucks, rappelling teams, or by inspecting blades with high-power telescopes. Two different remote-controlled climbing robots have been developed to make wind tower maintenance easier, cheaper, and safer. Helical Robotics recently demonstrated its latest model, the magnetic HR 1000-LL (Light Lift) climbing robot, at the American Wind Energy Assn. 2012 Conference and Exposition in Atlanta. (See the robot in action below.) This model hauls 50 pounds to 100 pounds of video cameras, nondestructive testing equipment, robotic arms, and lifts all the way up a wind tower's shaft and can be controlled by a single operator. GE Global Research has been conducting tests with International Climbing Machines' tower-climbing robots, which use vacuum force to adhe...

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