Sellafield has just concluded the successful trial of a new four-legged robot like this one. This sophisticated new machine will be used to scan and swab surfaces in nuclear environments. The first trial ever using this technology was held at the Sellafield nuclear power plant. It represents a huge win for making the decommissioning process safer and more efficient. This latest test comes after a nearly successful test under the same initiative at the Joint European Torus facility located in Culham, Oxfordshire.
While the frame of the robot may look familiar, in the front is a big arm that extends and flexes with a swabbing tool at the end. This attachment mimics the swabbing movement that human workers usually carry out. As a result, it’s able to perform critical functions with absolute safety in dangerous atmospheres. On a daily basis, Sellafield’s team of health physicists carry out several hundred surface swabs. They provide necessary data to develop decommissioning plans and ensure regulatory safety standards are met.
Deon Bulman, remotely operated vehicle equipment lead at Sellafield said he is confident the bot can get the job done. He noted, “Together, these capabilities support faster, safer, and more cost-effective decommissioning operations while pushing forward the adoption of advanced robotics in the nuclear sector.”
The robot’s simple design maximizes flexibility and movement. This gives it the ability to go into places that put human workers in major life-threatening danger. Beyond improving safety, this feature helps make operations more efficient. The robot provides immediate feedback to the user. This allows operators to not only mimic real life control very precisely, but deal with the real world challenge of varying environments.
Dr. Kirsty Hewitson, director of RAICo, underlined the potential this technology has to go beyond a short-term solution. She stated that the robot “could have an impact on both nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering sites,” highlighting its potential applications beyond the immediate scope of the Sellafield trial.
Sellafield is currently trialing robotics to detect the level of radiation in different working areas and support better safety procedures. The outcome of this trial holds great potential for stimulating creative hope in the nuclear sector. As you can see in the video, this four-legged robot represents our dedication to creating solutions that keep people safe on the job. It further increases mission performance in harsh conditions.