"Bark!Bark!Bark! Sellafield Ltd is to use Boston Dynamics' Spot robot dogs in "routine, business-as-usual operations" amid the ongoing cleanup and decommissioning of the notorious UK nuclear site. Plans for day-to-day use of the mechanical quadrupeds were disclosed in a case study detailing the trial of the technology over the last few years. As Sellafield Ltd noted: "Sellafield is one of the most complex nuclear sites in the world. Parts of the site are hazardous and can be difficult or unsafe to access.""
"As the case study explains: "Our decommissioning work increasingly depends on high quality inspections. These ensure accurate data collection, enabling timely decision-making." Sending humans into "radiological or industrially risky areas, confined spaces, or locations with restricted access" raises quite a lot of HR issues. Sending in the likes of Boston Dynamics' robo-hounds is far less of an ethical dilemma. So the site has started using the robots for "routine tasks such as mapping, data capture, and characterization." This includes 3D scanning and livestreaming information."
Sellafield Ltd is deploying Boston Dynamics' Spot robot dogs for routine, business-as-usual operations to support cleanup and decommissioning at a complex UK nuclear site. The robots perform mapping, 3D scanning, livestreaming, data capture, and characterization tasks in radiological, confined, or hard-to-access areas to reduce human exposure. Devices are fitted with radiation-resistant sensing systems, LiDAR, and gamma and alpha characterization payloads for enhanced data collection. Perception systems were developed with Createc and systems integration and mission planning involved AtkinsRéalís. Collaborators include UKAEA, NDA, the University of Manchester, and AWE Nuclear Security Technologies.
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