Two workers operate an unmanned helicopter to prepare for its intelligent electric power inspection on Jan 9, 2013.[Photo/Xinhua]

Shandong Electric Power Corporation of the State Grid Corporation of China has employed unmanned helicopters to carry out inspections in some regions of Shandong province in an attempt to cope with the frigid, windy weather and low visibility. Under manual monitoring, the helicopters can finish inspections of electric transmission lines with high accuracy and efficiency.

This intelligent electric power inspection system, developed by the Shandong Electric Power Research Institute, can accomplish routing inspections of overhead transmission lines with the help of unmanned helicopters equipped with cameras, thermal infrared imagers and communication devices.