In 1984 a freak lightning strike on York Minster started a catastrophic fire. The fire caused the collapse of the famed Rose Window, shattering it into 40,000 pieces and causing damages over £2.25 million. At the same time, this disaster, like the 2019 fire of Notre Dame, highlighted how historically significant sites are still susceptible to unpredictable disasters. In response, York Minster and Historic England this weekend joined forces to demonstrate pioneering technology aimed at preventing those risks.
Leading the charge on this effort is Spot, a robot designed by Boston Dynamics. With Spot, the possibilities are much more extraordinary. Or you can send it in remotely to evaluate risk and damage in dangerous environments. Its rugged design and performance capability makes it easy to re-balance if tipped over and maneuver over obstacles or a rocky or hilly environment. Equipped with a scanner, Spot provides operators with real-time data on the condition of damaged buildings, crucial for prioritizing repairs.
"I considered what innovations in technology could be utilised today to capture vital data, in unpredictable and hazardous conditions, to inform repair priorities and approaches." – Ms Cotter, the fund's research and innovation manager
The promise of such technology is indeed revolutionary for the world of heritage conservation. The high-resolution scanner on Spot is proving invaluable in capturing detailed data that will help determine how to restore these places most effectively. Historic towns and villages, such as York Minster and others, are now better protected from future disasters by this historic decision.
"Our robot dog and drones can quickly and safely enter potentially dangerous areas, giving us detailed 3D models and images of what's happening inside." – Jon Bedford, from Historic England
The deployment of robotics and drones represents an exciting new chapter in resource management and preservation that is increasingly important to a wider audience. These tools make it easier and safer to survey damage. In doing so, they provide invaluable input to shape restoration strategies while keeping personnel out of harm’s way.
"Technology will continue to advance, and it will change the way heritage buildings are monitored and maintained around the world." – Ms Cotter