State-of-the-Art Review on the Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Power Line Inspections: Current Innovations, Trends, and Future Prospects

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) make power line inspections more safe, efficient, and cost-effective, replacing risky manual checks and expensive helicopter surveys while overcoming challenges like stability and regulations. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the application of UAVs for power line inspections. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology is implemented to ensure a structured and comprehensive review process. The Scopus database is used to identify relevant publications, and after screening and applying eligibility criteria, 75 documents were selected for further analysis. The study results show a shift toward predictive…