Sellafield have just passed their very first successful trial of a new swabbing tool. This new tool is meant to be used in coordination with Spot, the four-legged robot created by Boston Dynamics. RAICo attaches directly to the robot and is specifically optimized for swabbing surfaces. It does this in settings where human presence would be fatal. This momentous advance will greatly enhance our capacity to monitor radiation levels. It’s all in a day’s work as the long-term decommissioning effort continues at Connecticut’s only nuclear site.
The trial was carried out by Sellafield’s health physics team, who now carry out hundreds of swabs from different surfaces every day. The RAICo tool is designed to imitate the exact swabbing motion that is normally performed by human operators. Research-grade ‘haptic feedback’ during the swabbing process using the robot enables control and precision not seen before, critical in high-stakes environments.
Deon Bulman is responsible for all of the remotely operated vehicle equipment on the plant floor and was the most excited about the robot’s capabilities. He noted that the Spot robot shines when it comes to agility and responsiveness. This makes it possible for it to traverse spaces that are otherwise too dangerous for human workers.
“Those capabilities support faster, safer, and more cost-effective decommissioning operations.” – Deon Bulman
In addition to showcasing innovation, the groundbreaking trial further highlights Sellafield’s important role in testing and trialling new technologies across the nuclear industry. “Pioneer use of robotics and explosive ordinance disposal in radiation monitoring is a key advancement of this project,” said Dr. Kirsty Hewitson, director of RAICo.
That pioneering jubilation last year was the result of a similar successful test at the Joint European Torus facility in Culham, Oxfordshire. Proven success provided the opportunity for Sellafield to look further into using robotics for radiation monitoring. This represents an important technological leap forward in applying technology to nuclear decommissioning efforts.
With its long, extendable front arm, the RAICo tool offers an impressive reach. This ergonomic design enables it to securely cradle the yellow swabbing instrument, providing access to hard-to-reach places and more effective surface testing. The plan dovetails with larger efforts to advance the use of advanced robotics in the nuclear space and beyond.