Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) has recently achieved a breakthrough in drone-mounted robotic arm technology. Their newly developed aerial manipulator system enables seamless collaboration between drones and robotic arms, with high-altitude cleaning as its primary initial application.

The system is built on a large quadcopter drone platform, equipped with a Yushu robotic arm and a bio-inspired dexterous hand. Through specialized sensors and a VR tracking system, operators can control the aerial unit remotely simply by wearing VR gloves – their hand movements are mirrored in real-time by the robotic arm in flight. This setup replicates human arm motions like rotation and extension, enabling maintenance tasks such as cleaning street light poles and fixtures at height.

The system is currently undergoing operating system enhancements. It utilizes a hybrid drive system combining composite tendons and pneumatic muscles, delivering millimeter-level precision and robust disturbance resistance. The system is expected to expand into broader high-altitude operations, including power line maintenance and high-voltage cable inspection.