UK’s Sellafield nuclear power plant has recently undertaken a forward thinking pilot project, testing out an extraordinary four-legged robot to help monitor radiation levels. This impressive robot features a massive arm equipped with a yellow swabbing implement. It may well be better placed to do important work that has traditionally been performed by humans.
Our robot’s joint design gives it increased dexterity to replicate the swabbing approach needed to test surfaces within spaces that may hold radioactive materials. The health physics team at Sellafield conducts hundreds of swabs each day. Adding robotic assistance is the next milestone in their successful operations. With an extraordinary level of precision, the robot can traverse the world in a way that humans cannot, traversing areas that are unsafe to humans. This increases workplace safety and guarantees robust oversight.
In its recent trial, Sellafield successfully tested the robot, following a similar experiment at the Joint European Torus (JET) facility in Culham, Oxfordshire, which focuses on fusion technology. The robot provides feedback and control in real time, giving the user highly accurate, sensitive control. This transformative innovation establishes a new paradigm for mission efficiency in the world’s most dangerous places.
Deon Bulman, remotely operated vehicle equipment lead at Sellafield, said he was excited about the robot’s potential to make an impact. He stated,
“Together, these capabilities support faster, safer, and more cost-effective decommissioning operations while pushing forward the adoption of advanced robotics in the nuclear sector.”
Dr. Kirsty Hewitson, the director of RAICo, echoed this sentiment, noting that the technology “could have an impact on both nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering sites.” This demonstrates the value of robotics not just under the same funding program, but across multiple sectors within the nuclear industry.
Sellafield’s trial represents a big step forward in the positive application of robots for radiation monitoring and decommissioning work. As the facility continues to explore advanced technologies, it sets an example for others in the industry striving for enhanced safety and efficiency.