Laser Beams Keep Drones Flying Without Landing to Recharge

Imagine drones that never need to land for a battery recharge, staying in the sky as long as they're needed to save lives or monitor disasters.

PowerLight Technologies just made that vision real. The Washington engineering firm successfully tested a system that beams power from the ground directly to a flying drone using a laser, keeping it charged without interruption.

The test used a 6-pound receiver mounted on a K1000ULE drone already used by the US Navy and Army. Flying at 5,000 feet, the aircraft received kilowatt-level power through a non-visible laser beam shot from a portable transmitter on the ground.

Here's how it works: the ground transmitter converts battery power into high-intensity light, then shapes it into a precise laser beam aimed at the drone overhead. The drone's receiver catches that light and converts it back to electricity using photovoltaic cells, just like solar panels.

PowerLight has spent two decades perfecting this technology. Their transmitter can track and lock onto moving drones automatically, complete with safety mechanisms to protect anything that might cross the beam's path.

The company isn't alone in this race. DARPA tested a similar system in New Mexico last year, delivering 800 watts of power over 5.3 miles using optical beaming technology. Meanwhile, a University of Texas researcher founded KinetixBeam to develop electromagnetic wave-based charging systems for drones.

The Ripple Effect

This breakthrough transforms what drones can accomplish for communities everywhere. Search and rescue teams could keep eyes in the sky during multi-day operations without worrying about battery life. Coast Guard drones could monitor shipping lanes continuously. City drones could track air quality, manage traffic, and respond to emergencies without returning to base every few hours.

PowerLight plans fully integrated flight trials this year. Their transmitter is portable enough to tow to optimal locations, meaning it could deploy wherever disasters strike or monitoring is needed most.

The technology matters most in dangerous situations where landing isn't possible. Forest fire monitoring, hurricane tracking, and remote area searches all benefit from drones that stay aloft as long as needed.

Beyond emergencies, the system promises to revolutionize everyday drone operations. Pipeline inspections could run continuously over thousands of miles. Agricultural monitoring could cover vast farms in single flights. Delivery drones could serve wider areas without recharging stations.

The sky isn't the limit anymore when drones never need to come down.