Press Release: Innovative Drone Technology by NTT Promises Safer Lightning Management
Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) has unveiled a revolutionary drone technology designed to attract and safely direct lightning strikes, offering a novel solution for protecting critical infrastructure from storm damage. With an average of 6,000 lightning bolts hitting the earth every minute globally, NTT’s innovation could significantly mitigate the risks associated with these natural phenomena.
Utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a lightning protection cage, the drones operate at high altitudes near thunderclouds. By leveraging electric field fluctuations, they can draw lightning strikes into a controlled pathway, directing them safely into the ground through conductors. This process aims to safeguard both people and valuable infrastructure from the devastating effects of lightning.
Besides protection, NTT’s technology seeks to harness and store the energy generated by lightning, employing methods such as compressed air systems. The company envisions a future where thundercloud energy can be absorbed, possibly reducing the frequency of ground strikes.
NTT is currently refining this technology to ensure high accuracy and safety in lightning attraction, focusing on enhancing UAV resilience against powerful electromagnetic fields and currents. This will ensure stable flight even in stormy conditions, allowing for effective lightning management.
The implications of this technology extend across various sectors, particularly benefiting telecommunications and electric power companies, as well as governmental agencies. By integrating this advanced system, these stakeholders can better protect their facilities and mitigate the financial damages associated with severe weather.
As NTT takes significant steps towards realizing this vision, the convergence of innovation and safety in lightning management heralds a new era for infrastructure protection. For further demonstrations and information, viewers can access detailed video presentations from NTT.
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