This e-comic discusses how Jen needs to upgrade her utility-electrical-wire-inspecting robot to handle the added dimensions of high-voltage situations. The story follows Hi as the robot is raised by a giant utility boom truck, fashioned to the high voltage wires, and sent off to inspect.
Will the upgrade be enough as Hi encounters frayed wires, 50-year-old splices, broken insulators, and an upcoming thunderstorm? Will the mission end in disaster, or will Hi’s upgrade become a model for utilities around the country — and maybe the world?! You will need to download Hi Line Goes High Voltage to find out.
Roman’s 36 years working for an electric utility is clear, as he explains the difference between regular utility electrical wires and hire voltage wires; how wires sag during heavy use; how high voltage can cause radio static; and how dampers (weights) are used to stop line vibrations. This book, and the entire series, is a fun way to expose young students to the various uses of robots — an exciting area of engineering.
Hi Line Goes High Voltage, and Roman’s other comics in the series, are free to download for IEEE members at the IEEE-USA store, and available for non-members at $2.99. Others in the series are:
- Pipeline Gets Rescued
- Rover Boy Gets Steamed Up
- Rover Boy and Samson Team Up
- Stacks Gets Up in The World
- Momma and Baby (M&B) are on the Job
- Diver Does Its Thing
In the introduction to the E-Comic, Roman explains, “This robot adventure story was designed to entertain readers, young and old; to demonstrate how we can use robots in the service of humanity performing real-life tasks.” He adds, “This story, and other stories to follow, are based on actual robot applications. These applications were originally performed in the electric utility industry, with those experiences realistically projected to modern-day situations.”
Before retiring, Roman worked with a team that developed robotics in the energy industry — including co-inventing one used to inspect large fuel oil storage tanks; and another one used in nuclear power plants.
Roman was honored as Inventor of the Year in 2005 by the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame for his application of robots in hazardous environments in utility work.
Roman holds 12 U.S. patents; and he has received numerous engineering, invention and teaching awards. IEEE has honored Roman with a Meritorious Achievement Award for developing continuing education products for IEEE members. He currently teaches a graduate course at Montclair State University about applying STEM techniques in the classroom. He is also a docent/special lecturer at the Thomas Edison National Historical Park, in West Orange, New Jersey.
