The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) has unveiled what it says is the world’s first robotic drone‑based system, capable of installing and removing warning balls on high‑voltage transmission lines. In moving away from manned platforms, this  novel approach marks a significant shift in how the national grid is maintained.

Developed with Israeli company Kronos, the system uses a drone equipped with a specialized robotic payload to attach orange aviation‑warning markers to ground wires at heights of 20 to 70 meters. These markers are required by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Israeli Air Force to alert low‑flying aircraft to the presence of power lines. They are especially necessary in flat agricultural areas.

The company installs thousands of warning balls each year as part of the ongoing grid expansion and routine maintenance. Weather and environmental wear require periodic replacement of existing markers.

Until now, the IEC relied on helicopters or elevated work platforms for the work. Those methods not only involved high operational costs, complex logistics, but significant safety risks for crews working near live high‑voltage infrastructure.

The new drone‑mounted system uses a redesigned warning ball featuring an automatic click and clamp mechanism, allowing operators on the ground to install or remove the markers without physical contact with the wires.

According to the IEC, the process enables precise placement while eliminating the need for workers to perform hazardous tasks at height.

IEC officials said the technology is expected to gradually replace traditional installation methods, improving worker safety and reducing costs associated with helicopter operations and manpower deployment.

Herzl Friedman, the IEC’s vice president of engineering and strategy, said that the development reflects the company’s broader approach to integrating advanced technologies into grid operations.

"This development reflects a broader philosophy at the IEC, where technological innovation must first and foremost serve the safety of our employees, as well as the continuity and reliability of the power grid,” he explained.

“Integrating such technological developments allows us to perform complex tasks more accurately, efficiently, and safely, while reducing our dependence on heavy equipment and complicated logistical processes."

The company notes that the system is expected to bring about substantial savings in installation and maintenance costs while significantly streamlining work processes and manpower allocation. It also has export potential, positioning Israel as a leader in automated grid‑maintenance technologies.

In April, the IEC unveiled an advanced maintenance robot designed to operate in a high-voltage line environment. The project was carried out in cooperation with the Israeli company Axioma Robotics.