Project Cluedo: The Development of an Observation and Re-action System for the Protection of
Powerlines
Project Background
Project Cluedo has the intention to create a system that will contribute to the deterrence and prevention
of cable theft on long distance powerlines. It must be a complete system, deterring or preventing cable
theft from happening, recording any theft events should they occur and launching a reaction unit for
apprehension, containing (prior to arrest by SAPS) and successful prosecution of cable thieves.
The project sponsors have traded off alternative solutions and have decided on a solution based on aerial
observation supported by ground force reaction units.
Project Purpose
The purpose of Project Cluedo is to development a surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) (UAV)
that can be used for day and night surveillance of long-distance power cables. Live feedback from the UAV
will be observed, recorded and used to direct the ground-based re-action units to respond to any
suspicious activity along the power lines.
Once the individual elements of the system have been certified, then a deployed Integrated Powerline
Protection System will contain multiple UAVs, ground-stations and stand-by re-action units.
Project Status
Project Cluedo has been approved for development. A Project Plan from the PM and a SEMP from the
Systems Engineer are now required for approval, in order for the project to proceed.