The Sellafield nuclear power plant in the UK is kicking off an exciting new trial. In addition, robots will help create safer environments, increase efficiency, and allow for tracking radiation levels in dangerous zones. It’s no wonder then, that the facility has successfully tested a new tool — RAICo. This creative, one-of-a-kind device can be mounted on a versatile quadruped robot called Spot to have it swab surfaces for radiation detection.
This initiative is one of other Sellafield forward-looking moves to enhance decommissioning works. Each day, the health physics team at the plant generally performs hundreds of swabs to ensure that radiation is being properly controlled. The launch of RAICo’s swabbing tool would radically change how swabbing occurred. By imitating hand movements, it allows for greater dexterity and accuracy in surgical procedures.
The trial at Sellafield follows a successful trial of the RAICo tool with Scottish Water. That previous record run was set at the Joint European Torus facility in Culham, Oxfordshire, where scientists conducted pioneering research into fusion technology. This history of successful past engagement laid the groundwork for today’s trial. It demonstrates the aesthetic promise of deploying robotic assistance in spaces where human welfare is best protected through avoidance.
The RAICo tool has a long, extendable arm with a yellow swabbing tool on the end. This design enables Spot to traverse and perform work in regions that are too hazardous for human laborers. It’s a chance to show off the robot’s remarkable speed and finesse.
Deon Bulman, remotely operated vehicle equipment manager for Sellafield, UK. He focused on the powerful benefits the application of robotic technology can bring to high-risk environments.
“Those capabilities support faster, safer, and more cost-effective decommissioning operations.” – Deon Bulman
Integrating ‘haptic feedback’ technology into the swabbing process allows for improved control and more precision. This is particularly important in high-stakes precision tasks, minimizing hazards that come with swabbing by hand.