SPARX
Safe Powerline Access & Remote eXchange
Enable a faster, more ecological, and more cost-effective replacement of bundle spacers on high-voltage overhead lines.
The Background
Amprion operates thousands of kilometers of high-voltage power lines – and keeping them in top condition is essential. Today, bundle spacers are replaced using helicopters, cable carts, or lifting platforms. While these methods have proven effective over the years, the expansion of power lines makes it crucial to find more scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solutions.
The Challenge
Design a scalable tool or method for replacing bundle spacers on overhead power lines. The solution should ideally cover the following steps:
- Removal of existing bundle spacers
- Assessment of the conductor’s condition
- Installation of new bundle spacers
- Optional: installation of a repair rod
You can either focus on a specific task or deliver a full end-to-end solution. What matters most is a significant improvement. Existing Methods can be enhanced – or completely replaced. Ideally, these steps can be performed under live-line conditions.
Schedule
November
09.12.2025 11:00
27.01.2026
10.02.2026 17:00
Challenge start
Official kick-off and Q&A
Demo Day
Finals & Award ceremony
Schedule
November
Challenge start
09.12.2025
Official kick-off and Q&A
27.01.2026
Demo Day
10.02.2026
Finals & Award ceremony
SONAR.AI
The Background
Identifying technological developments at an early stage is a key success factor for Amprion as a transmission system operator. Today, trend research still requires extensive manual effort: information is collected selectively, analyzed individually, and often lacks automation.
With SONAR.AI, Amprion aims to take the next step – developing a smart system that automatically captures relevant signals from open sources, evaluates them intelligently, and enables faster, data-driven, and future-oriented decision-making.
The Challenge
Develop and program SONAR.AI – a digital tool that helps Amprion detect and analyze technological trends.
Your solution should ideally include:
- Signal Detection – Automatically capture relevant information from open sources
- Signal Clustering – Group similar signals to identify patterns and connections
- Trend Derivation – Translate clusters into potential trends
- Trend Evaluation – Assess trends by relevance, potential, and strategic significance
- Visualization – Present trends and analyses in a clear, decision-ready format
- Validation – Continuously compare existing trends with new signals and update accordingly
Optional: Include features like trend alerts (e.g., when signal volume changes drastically) or event/startup crawlers.
Schedule
18.01.2026
21.01.2026 11:30
04.02.2026
11.02.2026 17:00
Application Deadline
Official kick-off and Q&A
Demo Day
Finals & Award ceremony
Schedule
18.01.2026
Application Deadline
21.01.2026
Official kick-off and Q&A
04.02.2026
Demo Day
11.02.2026


