2 weeks Ago By Jamie Harris
DEADLY lightning could soon be a worry of the past thanks to a new power-hungry drone that may generate free electricity in future. A clever hi-tech bot has been designed to trigger and guide lightning in an effort to reduce damage on the ground that costs billions in repairs every year. Advertisement 2 Special drone was secretly tested at the end of last year Credit: NTT Lightning rods have traditionally been the main way to prevent problems.
But they're not suitable for some structures, such as wind turbines or football stadiums. To overcome this, Japanese firm Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) have made a special drone. It's protected by a lightning-resistant cage to prevent the drone from being instantly fried to death and can harness electric field fluctuations.
Advertisement Read more about lightning WHAT A STRIKE Scientists divert lightning strikes using giant laser for the first time SUN-BELIEVABLE! 300,000-mile long 'lightning' streaks across the Sun – can you spot it? Researchers have now revealed that they successfully tested the gizmo between December 2024 and January 2025. They used a device to monitor the electric field from the ground in the mountainous Hamada City, where it sniffed out thunderclouds. On December 13, their lightning drone was then launched 300 meters into the sky with a long conductive wire connected to a high voltage ground switch.
When switched on at the right moment, this triggered the lightning strike. Advertisement Most read in Science ON THE MOVE Rangers 'likely to lose' young star to Premier League giants CAUGHT ON CAMERA Fresh sighting of on the run killer as cops warn public 'do not approach' SHOTS FIRED Snooker star hits back at Stephen Hendry's legacy claims ahead of world champs HORROR CRASH Emergency crews swarm street after four car pile-up leaves person in hospital The loud strike was so powerful that it melted part of the drone's protective cage - but the drone itself was still able to hover on without any damage. It's hoped that the system will eventually be used to shield cities from lightning strikes by safely flying them away from highly populated areas.
Horror moment lightning strike knocks out five uni students cowering under a tree as two left fighting for their lives But scientists want to go a step further and figure out a way to capture all that electricity for use. "We aim to not only trigger and control lightning, but also to harness its energy," NTT said. Advertisement 2 Mock up of lightning drone Credit: Getty / The Sun UNBELIEVABLE LIGHTNING SPEED FACTS You may not see lightning often but it's actually one of nature's most recurrent phenomenons.
There are more than 3million flashes every day, which works out to around 44 strikes every second. Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is the most lightning-struck place in the world. Thunderstorms can occur there as many as 160 nights per year.
And when they do come, they can be pretty lengthy too, with a staggering 28 lightning strikes per minute on average that can go on for up to 10 hours. Source: Met Office Image credit: Getty.
