LaserMotive Brings Power to Fiber Optic Lines With InvisiTower



By Brett Davis



LaserMotive, which builds a power delivery system that uses lasers to power small unmanned aircraft, has adapted that system to work through fiber optics.



The company is demonstrating its new optical system at the SPIE Defense, Security & Sensing show in Baltimore. The system, named InvisiTower, fits in the back of a standard SUV and can power any multi-rotor UAS indefinitely, as long as power is available on the ground, the company says.



“The beauty of the InvisiTower system is that it allows unlimited flight even in small systems because fiber optics are much lighter than copper wires,” says Tom Nugent, president and CEO of Kent, Wash.-based LaserMotive. “In addition, it is safer because the fiber cable is nonconductive — it won't conduct lightning or short out power lines — and no high voltages are needed. The laser energy is completely contained and interlocked in case the cable is damaged, so there are no laser safety issues.”



InvisiTower is based on LaserMotive’s Power over Fiber system, announced earlier this year.