Copper theft isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a growing threat to critical infrastructure worldwide. From toppling radio towers in Oklahoma to stripping entire bridges in India, the rise in metal prices is fueling a global epidemic of brazen, often destructive crimes. And with electrification driving up demand for copper, steel, and rare earth metals, the trend isn’t slowing anytime soon.

A recent WIRED article tells the story of a 499-foot radio tower in Hugo, Oklahoma, cut down and gutted for its copper cabling. The damage: $500,000. The motive: scrap metal resale. And this is far from an isolated case. Organized groups are targeting everything from transit infrastructure to EV charging stations wherever valuable metal lies unguarded.

The challenge is clear: these thefts occur quickly, often at night, in remote or critical locations, and have a devastating impact. Traditional surveillance alone can’t stop them. But what if the environment itself could detect, track, and respond to suspicious activity as soon as it begins?

That’s where Quanergy’s 3D LiDAR-based security solutions come in.

How 3D LiDAR from Quanergy Helps Protect Against Metal Theft

Quanergy’s Q-Track perimeter intrusion detection system (PIDS) uses high-precision 3D LiDAR sensors and AI-driven perception software to detect movement in real time, with no dependency on lighting, and unaffected by metal structures or electrical magnetic interference (EMI). Unlike traditional cameras or radar systems, Q-Track creates a dynamic 3D map of the environment, instantly flagging anomalous behavior such as:

  • A person entering a fenced electrical substation at 2:00 AM

  • Suspicious loitering near a tower or utility pole

  • Human objects breaching a boundary using tools or cutting devices

  • Motion patterns suggesting illegal removal of infrastructure components

Unlike conventional systems that may trigger false alarms from wind-blown debris or animals, Q-Track accurately classifies objects, filters out noise, and only escalates when real threats emerge.

Real-World Applications Across Vulnerable Industries

Metal theft isn’t confined to rural radio towers. It’s hitting:

  • Transit and Rail Networks: Where exposed cabling, overhead lines, and track-side infrastructure are prime targets

  • Utilities and Substations: Where critical grid components contain high concentrations of copper and aluminum

  • Telecom and 5G Infrastructure: Where nodes and tower assets are increasingly distributed and hard to monitor

  • Construction Sites and Laydown Yards: Temporary operations with high metal value and limited security presence

  • EV Charging Stations and Data Centers: Where attackers seek fast access to valuable cables and power conduits

In each of these environments, Q-Track’s LiDAR-powered zones can be configured to detect perimeter breaches, track object movement, and alert security teams or even trigger automated deterrents before damage is done.

Stopping Theft Before It Happens

The takeaway is simple: prevention beats reaction. As thieves become more organized, more desperate, and more damaging, passive surveillance isn’t enough.

Quanergy transforms Motion into Intelligence in security infrastructure from reactive to proactive, giving organizations the intelligence to act before a tower falls, a rail line is paralyzed, or a data center goes dark.

Stop theft. Prevent stoppages. 3D LiDAR secures yards, cabinets, and catenary with real-time alerts.