Sellafield’s health physics team leads the first phase of trials for a new robotic swabbing tool. This is the powerful new tool created to scan for radiation in dangerous conditions. The trial showcased a four-legged robot named Spot. Fitted with a customized swabbing tool, Spot has been designed to work safely in spaces where radioactive material may be present. This advancement is a big deal and another important step toward increasing safety and efficiency in decommissioning operations in the site.
Each day, Sellafield’s health physics team carries out hundreds of swabs on surfaces around the site looking for radiation. Safely conducting pre-operations inspections Spot’s introduction comes to modernize this process, especially in environments considered unsafe for human operators. Spot’s nimble design and the swabbing tool’s functionality eliminated many hazards and offer critical assistance in these specialized environments.
Now armed with an even larger, extendable arm, Spot carries the yellow swabbing tool recently branded by RAICo. Throughout the test, the device proved to be an extraordinary conduit of ‘haptic feedback. This feature greatly increases safety and accuracy for radiation survey operations. This feature, including the associated stop bar detection capabilities, is integral for providing correct readings in high-risk, hazardous locations.
Deon Bulman, who manages Sellafield’s remotely operated vehicle kit, made it clear that this was the right technology to be utilized here. He stated, “those capabilities support faster, safer, and more cost-effective decommissioning operations.” The successful deployment of Spot is a signal of Sellafield’s on-going commitment to innovating. More importantly, it fuels the use and adoption of advanced robotics at the nuclear frontlines.
The trial at Sellafield continues the momentum of a similar successful test from last year. That test was held at the Joint European Torus facilities located in Culham, Oxfordshire. This foundation of success has opened the door for additional exploration to further robotic applications in radiation monitoring as well as more complex decommissioning tasks.
Dr. Kirsty Hewitson, director of RAICo, expressed the importance of incorporating robotics into radiation safety practices. These innovations improve overall operational efficiency while keeping the safety of our employees who operate in radiological hazards as a top priority.
