Facebook Connectivity, in cooperation with ULC Robotics, has developed a robot that is capable of winding optical fibers on medium voltage (MV) power lines that commonly serve residential areas in much of the world, at a cost three to five times cheaper than the traditional way of laying fiber.
Karthik Yogeeswaran, mechanical of wireless systems at Facebook Connectivity, he said in a blog publishing that the idea for the project came after traveling to Africa and observing the ubiquitous power line infrastructure, which is much more widespread than the country's overall fiber optic footprint.
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The robot is made to be able to avoid and cross any obstacles it encounters on its way.
Keeping the robot's weight low makes it ideal for handling a line μεσαίας τάσης κάτι που ήταν μια βασική πρόκληση για τους κατασκευαστές επειδή θα περιόριζε την ποσότητα των ινών που θα μπορούσε να μεταφέρει.
To be able to navigate obstacles, the robot can lift its middle section containing the fiber systems and rotate. Once the obstacle is passed, it lowers its middle part to continue wrapping. The robot has a vision system to detect obstacles and adjust its movements.
"By reducing the overall cost of deploying aerial fiber, we expect our system to have a significant impact on the availability of Internet, especially in countries where workers earn less than $5,50 a day."