UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) researchers have developed an exciting new autonomous robot. We developed this robot expressly for use inspecting the Large Hadron Collider, or LHC. This innovative technology will enhance maintenance procedures for the world’s largest particle accelerator, which spans 27 kilometers (17 miles) and is situated approximately 100 meters (328 feet) beneath the French-Swiss border near Geneva.
The tiny robot is only 20 centimeters (8 inches) long and 3.7 centimeters (1.5 inches) wide. This nimble design gives it a unique ability to crawl through the narrow pipes that make up the collider’s massive infrastructure. Its primary function is to get high resolution pictures across the entire beamline. This allows comprehensive inspections of locations that can be very difficult and frigid. The robot uses machine learning tools to detect any welding defects that would affect the performance of the collider.
Since first opening its doors in 2008, the LHC has successfully accelerated two opposing particle beams to speeds close to that of light. That astonishing achievement has made possible amazing discoveries, including the Higgs boson in 2012. The collider’s daunting design involves more than 1,200 dipole magnets placed end-to-end to bend particles around its circular tunnel. Making sure that the collider runs as safely and efficiently as possible is very important to the continued pursuit of scientific discovery.
Nick Sykes, the director of UKAEA’s robotics center, said local pride is evident in the collaboration. In the end, he said, the project proves what smart collaboration across states and countries can accomplish. He noted,
“By combining our remote handling experience with CERN’s scientific excellence, we’re helping ensure the Large Hadron Collider operates safely and efficiently for years to come.”
Dr. Giuseppe Bregliozzi has been at the forefront of the LHC project. He stressed the way the robot has changed maintenance procedures. He remarked that it will
“transform how we inspect and maintain the LHC.”
Not only does this robotic technology offer a groundbreaking step to inspection and maintenance processes at CERN, but by extension, it promotes worker safety. It bolsters our pledge to run a world-class experiment with excellent safety records.