Sellafield has been the linchpin of the UK’s nuclear decommissioning program. Most recently, it completed a pioneering trial with a four-legged robot called Spot to monitor dangerous radiation levels in active disaster zones. This initiative is focused on improving safety standards across the facility. We’ll do it by cutting costs through improved decommissioning strategies and more efficient use of new technology.
Every day there, Sellafield’s health physics team is carrying out literally hundreds of swabs from different surfaces to determine if it is contaminating with radiation. These asbestos swabs help to ensure responsible decommissioning, so that site personnel can work without fear for their safety. The information collected from these swabs is crucial to ensure that the highest safety standards are observed during the entire decommissioning process.
This week Sellafield took a major step forward. One of the new tools they’re using to do that is Spot, a cutting-edge robotic innovation developed by Boston Dynamics. With a custom-built swabbing tool created by RAICo, Spot is able to replicate the motions of a human swabber. The heavy-duty sun yellow tool is topped by an expansive extendable boom. It allows Spot to safely navigate and retrieve samples from hard-to-reach spaces.
Deon Bulman, who oversees Sellafield’s remotely operated vehicle equipment, highlighted the robot’s agility and responsiveness. These features, Bulman concedes, allow Spot to operate in environments considered too dangerous for human operators.
“Those capabilities support faster, safer, and more cost-effective decommissioning operations.” – Deon Bulman
The robot gives ‘haptic feedback’ while the swab is being taken. This new feature gives you even more control and precision. It can turn into a powerful resource for the group charged with keeping tabs on radiation in the environment.
The trial at Sellafield builds on one test previously held at the Joint European Torus (JET) facility in Culham, Oxfordshire, which was successful. Dr. Kirsty Hewitson, director of RAICo, is thrilled that a trial is going ahead. It is paving the way for advanced robotics to be used in the nuclear space! The introduction of fusion technology certainly reflects the exciting and innovative spirit that prevailed at JET.
The first trial of its kind at Sellafield has just finished. This project demonstrates great promise and potential for safely integrating robotics into day-to-day safety assessments. Spot’s swabbing tool is the biggest success story. This represents an opportunity to expand the use of cutting-edge robotic technology in large-scale nuclear decommissioning efforts.