Modern acrobatic kites end two or four lines to allow fine determination of the kite's angle to the wind. Traction kites may have an additional line to de-power the kite and quick-release mechanisms to disengage flyer and kite in an emergency.
A conceptual research and development intention by Makani Power, Kites based in California and funded by Google.org, is investigating the applicability of kites in harnessing altitudinous altitude flurry currents to generate electricity.