Robot avatar safely trims trees around active power lines

A robot avatar that mimics the motions of a human controller could take the place of workers in several dangerous jobs, such as tree trimming and construction, by the end of 2022. The challenge: If a tree branch gets too close to a power line, it can cause electrical outages or, even worse, dangerous fires (as Californians know all too well). To avoid this, utility companies have to regularly trim trees near their lines. But it's dangerous work, as workers are dozens of feet above the ground, using sharp power tools to trim trees while power lives are still active -- this puts them at risk of falls, cuts, and electrocution, all at once. By some estimates, tree trimming is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country.