Japan summons lightning from skies with drone that ‘catches’ it in 'world first'

Japan summons lightning from skies with drone that ‘catches’ it in 'world first'

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. Special drone was secretly tested at the end of last yearNTT Lightning rods have traditionally been the main way to prevent problems. But they’re not suitable f…

A Japanese research team from NTT Corporation has developed an innovative method to make lightning usable while preventing dangerous impacts in cities. The project focuses on special drones that do not harm even with a direct lightning hit thanks to a Faraday cage. Initial tests were promising (via press release). Field trial in Shimane Prefecture The experiments took place in a mountainous region near the city of Hamada.The researchers used a d…

The Faraday cage is something you may have heard of, perhaps thinking of those high school physics classes where you slept through (let’s not deny it, come on). Well, now that same cage has decided to fly. Literally. In fact, in Japan, they have just created something unheard of: a drone that attracts lightning using the protection offered by a metal structure, a flying Faraday cage. Why do they do it? Because they can, of course. But there’s mo…

NTT’s Lightning-Triggering Drone Survives Strike, Aims To Protect Infrastructure

In a groundbreaking advancement, Japanese tech giant NTT has developed a drone capable of triggering and surviving lightning strikes, a feat demonstrated during tests in December 2024 and January 2025. NTT’s announcement details the drone’s ability to induce lightning at 300 meters (984 feet), offering a novel approach to mitigating the estimated ¥100 billion to ¥200 billion ($700 million to $1.4 billion) in annual lightning-related damage in Ja…

Faraday-caged drone triggers and directs lightning strikes

In a world first, Japanese researchers flew a lightning-proof drone in a thunderstorm, using it to induce and direct natural lightning strikes. The team is now working on how this flying lightning rod might capture and store lightning energy.Continue ReadingCategory: Drones, Consumer Tech, TechnologyTags: Lightning, Japan, drones, Weather, Electricity