Robots deployed for de-icing on power lines in southwest China’s Sichuan

Robots have been deployed for the first time to clear ice from power transmission lines in Xichang City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, significantly improving the safety and efficiency of de-icing operations.

Due to a cold wave, the thickness of ice on the power lines of a ±800 kV UHVDC power transmission project in Xichang once exceeded 12 millimeters, posing challenges to grid operations.

In a recent mission, a robot, deployed by a large drone onto the power line 120 meters above the ground, successfully removed ice from a 500-meter-long section within 15 minutes.

So far, the ultra-high-voltage branch of State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Company has set up 340 ice monitoring devices on power lines, with five large drones and five de-icing robots on standby to ensure the timely removal of hazards caused by extreme weather.

Robots deployed for de-icing on power lines in southwest China’s Sichuan

Robots deployed for de-icing on power lines in southwest China’s Sichuan

Robots deployed for de-icing on power lines in southwest China’s Sichuan

Robots deployed for de-icing on power lines in southwest China’s Sichuan

Robots deployed for de-icing on power lines in southwest China’s Sichuan

All 1,248 players of the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been confirmed following the submission of final squad lists to FIFA, the world football governing body announced Tuesday.

Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico will feature in their sixth World Cup campaigns, while Cabo Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are going to play their first World Cup.

The tournament opens on June 11 and 104 matches will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States, with the final to be played on July 19.

"The confirmed squad lists underline the scale and enduring appeal of the tournament with 357 players returning after at least one previous FIFA World Cup squad inclusion. Some 891 players are set to experience the competition for the first time, highlighting both continuity and renewal across the global game," FIFA said.

Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be the oldest player at the tournament at 43 years and 162 days old, while Mexico's Gilberto Mora will be the youngest at 17 years and 240 days old. There will be 22 players under 20 years old and seven players aged 40 or above at the start of the tournament.

FIFA World Cup squads confirmed