Sellafield Ltd has recently concluded its first trial of a four-legged robot with flying colors. This advanced robot was built specifically to autonomously swab surfaces in spaces that hold radioactive materials. This campaign aims to increase safety standards at one of the UK’s most hazardous nuclear facilities. It aims to make decommissioning strategies work better in achieving positive outcomes. The US trial follows a successful test of the same technology at the Joint European Torus (JET) facility, home to Europe’s fusion know-how juggernaut. This new development is another big step toward using robotics in dangerous places.
The robot is equipped with a massive arm that holds onto a yellow swabbing apparatus. It’s smart enough to replicate the swabbing motion that people usually do. This cutting-edge innovation enables Sellafield’s health physics team to perform hundreds of surface swabs in a more accurate and safer capacity every day. The regions in which they operate are dangerous. Because of its dexterity, the robot is able to reach places that are otherwise too hazardous for a human worker.
The trial’s primary objective was to assess the robot’s effectiveness in monitoring radiation levels and conducting surface swabs in hazardous areas. In the course of the trial, the robot provided unique real-time feedback, enabling operators to make fine-tuned control and adjustments. This added capability allows NRC to conduct decommissioning operations more quickly and expeditiously. Rather, it demonstrates the exciting potential for integrating advanced robotics into the nuclear sector.
Deon Bulman, Sellafield’s remotely operated vehicle equipment lead, emphasized how beneficial this technology has been for improving operational safety.
“Together, these capabilities support faster, safer, and more cost-effective decommissioning operations while pushing forward the adoption of advanced robotics in the nuclear sector.” – Deon Bulman
Dr. Kirsty Hewitson, director of RAICo, commented on the trial’s wider ramifications in the US. She added that if successful, deploying this technology would have a significant impact on nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering sites.
“This robot could have an impact on both nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering sites.” – Dr Kirsty Hewitson
The project at Sellafield is a major step forward with the application of robotics. It seeks to improve safety and efficiency in dangerous situations. Through ongoing testing and development, the deployment of such robotic systems could transform methods used for nuclear decommissioning and monitoring.
