Robots designed to install hardware on overhead power lines are set to be developed under a multi-year partnership between Preformed Line Products (PLP) and FulcrumAir. The companies plan to co-develop next-generation robotic installation technologies intended to automate aspects of power line construction, with a focus on improving installation speed, worker safety and placement accuracy.
The collaboration expands on previous joint projects between the two companies, including the LineSpider robot used to install PLP’s CUSHION-GRIP Twin Spacers and the LineFly family of robotic systems deployed for both CUSHION-GRIP Twin Spacers and PLP’s BIRD-FLIGHT Diverters. The new agreement formalizes ongoing efforts to integrate robotic platforms with hardware engineered for automated deployment.
PLP manufactures products for energy and communications infrastructure, while FulcrumAir develops robotic systems for use in the electric power sector. Under the expanded partnership, the companies will focus on designing robotic systems intended to reduce installation timelines, decrease lineworker exposure to hazardous environments and improve consistency in hardware placement and quality control.
Ryan Ruhlman, president of PLP, said the initiative aligns with the company’s long-standing emphasis on innovation in the electric power industry. “By integrating robotics into installation processes and reimagining product design for automated deployment, we aim to enhance safety and efficiency across the industry while also creating new opportunities for PLP’s strategic growth and market leadership,” he said.
Patrick Arnell, president and chief executive officer of FulcrumAir, said the collaboration is intended to advance the use of robotics in grid construction. “Elevating worker safety, expanding workforce capabilities, and enabling utilities to adapt faster—that is how we build a more resilient, efficient grid of the future,” he said. The companies indicated that additional robotic systems are in development as utilities increase the use of automation to address infrastructure expansion and modernization requirements.
