OES Equipment Expands into Massachusetts – (read more)
OES expanded its national footprint with the opening of its first New England warehouse in Westborough, Massachusetts, in November 2025.
OES and Partners Deploy New Robot to Improve Safety During High‑Risk Energization
Meet Sparky, the robot that operates breakers in the arc‑flash zone, so electricians don’t have to.
Energization is a critical, high‑risk moment within the electrical scope of a project and occurs multiple times as a building comes online. When an electrician closes a large‑frame circuit breaker in the switchgear room, the potential for arc flash is real, and the consequences can be severe.
For years, the industry has relied on PPE and standard lockout/tagout procedures to manage this risk. Even with these precautions, exposure remains. This is why OES Equipment partnered with EIG Electrical Systems, WND Ventures, DPR Construction and Hardhat Robotics to rethink the energization process and deliver a safer solution for risk management.
Robotics are increasingly taking on high‑risk and highly repetitive tasks in construction, and we’re fortunate to play a role in vetting and guiding these solutions before they reach the field. Sparky is a promising early‑stage product that has already demonstrated real value for EIG. Based on feedback from our pilot deployments, we’re working closely with Hardhat to deliver a safe, reliable, and scalable solution to the market.
A robot designed to bring safety and control to your jobsite
Sparky is a prototype robotic system designed to redefine one of the highest‑risk moments in an electrical project by removing electricians from the arc‑flash danger zone during energization. Currently undergoing testing with multiple finger designs, Sparky is being developed to operate large‑frame circuit breakers from any manufacturer, allowing electricians to complete the task remotely from a separate room—without compromising control or precision.
Energization challenges vary widely from site to site. Electricians must navigate a broad range of breaker designs, ratings, and switchgear configurations, making every energization scenario different and unpredictable.
While many off‑the‑shelf robotic tools depend on custom adapters or specialized hardware that may only work in limited cases, Sparky was built for real‑world construction conditions. Its reliable, practical, and repeatable design ensures electricians can be kept out of harm’s way every time, regardless of the breaker in front of them.
From first activation to field-ready tool
Sparky completed its first live activation on November 20, 2025, safely switching a large-frame IBOS breaker at a project site in Aiken, South Carolina. The team came together to turn careful preparation into a successful real-world deployment, proving Sparky’s ability to perform during one of the most critical moments on a project.
Building on that milestone, the team continues to advance Sparky through lab testing and real-world validation. New video data and robot telemetry, including joint angles and force readings, are being fed into robotics-focused AI models to improve accuracy, reliability, and repeatability over time.
Precision control from a safe distance
Electricians can become certified operators, enabling them to perform a critical task remotely while contributing to a stronger safety culture. Teams involved in Sparky’s development feel empowered by helping solve a longstanding problem and moving the industry forward.
“We’ve always said our people are our greatest asset, and Sparky is one way we prove it. By taking the danger out of the equation, we’re giving our electricians the headspace to build new, high-level skills instead of just managing risks. That culture of growth is why people choose to build a career with EIG. It makes our crews sharper, safer, and much more loyal.”
Sparky’s modular design gives certified operators precise, reliable control during breaker energization. A mobile cart allows the robot to be rolled into position and securely locked in place, while the robotic arm, equipped with six independently controlled joints and an insulated 6-inch finger, enables safe, accurate breaker operation.
Once set up, the electrician operates Sparky remotely using two cameras: a cart-mounted camera for overall context and a wrist-mounted camera for precise finger alignment. After positioning, the operator moves the finger in the required direction to complete the switch, while remaining completely outside the danger zone.
Raising the standard for jobsite safety
When teams know their company supports them at the most critical moments of the work, safety improves across the entire site, productivity increases, and projects stay on track. Sparky demonstrates what’s possible when OES, EIG, WND, and DPR work together to address risk in a meaningful, practical way.
Guided by our Ever Forward value, this effort reflects a commitment to solving real construction challenges rather than just reacting to them. By rethinking how energization is performed, Sparky helps set a higher standard for jobsite safety and reinforces a simple belief: every worker deserves to go home safe at the end of the day.
