For a long time, the drone market was in a dormant state. But since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) loosened its strict regulations, the market has begun recording an upward trajectory.
Today, it is clear that drone technology has become an integral part of our lives.
Whether you are an electrical utility firm looking for an easy way to repair broken power lines, or a wildlife conservationist seeking an effective way to research without disturbing the natural habitat, drones could be the solution.
With the benefits drone technology has brought, there has been considerable research into advancing their usability and effectiveness. The best approach so far is the development of wireless charging drones.
Imperial London College Study
The challenges of battery power have resulted in significant flaws in the robotic industry. The limited battery operation has prevented the robots from living up to their full potential.
To find a solution to this problem, the Imperial London College successfully researched and demonstrated how they could power a drone wirelessly when it is flying.
This has been a significant breakthrough and opened a new realm of promising possibilities. The technology allows a commercial drone operator to transfer power wirelessly over a long distance in real-time.
The Science Behind Wireless Charging
Wireless power transfer was first demonstrated by Nikola Tesla in the 20th century when he transmitted electric power without wires.
Since its inception, there have been numerous advances to use this technology in different industries like telemetry, radio frequency identification (RFID), and satellite communication.
In drones, engineers use what is called a “power cloud” to charge flying drones in real-time. It is a power-based system on the ground positioned to capture an electromagnetic field when turned on.
The drone, which is equipped with special antennae, charges when it flies within the range set by the power cloud. However, not all companies use this system of recharging drones.
Benefits of Wireless Charging Technology to Commercial Drones
Many manufacturing companies have big plans to increase the use of wireless charging for drones. Why? They want drones to go beyond the average 30-minute operation range.
So far, this operation range has proven to be very costly and time-consuming. What’s more, it increases the complexity of the task.
The wireless charging technology will keep drones in the air for a much longer duration. You do not have to keep stopping for recharging. Once the drone takes off, it will only land after finishing the task.
This ability to keep drones in the air for this long has been extremely valuable for companies. They can deliver more items and complete more tasks in a more time-efficient manner, thus enjoying both greater productivity and greater savings.
Conclusion
The future of commercial wireless recharging drones is clearly significant and a game-changer.
Don’t be surprised if, in the near future, you come across charging stations for wireless drones in strategic locations. Still, we should brace ourselves for some uncertain consequences — job-market disruption, for example. As with any revolutionary technology, there will be pros and cons to this one.
