Mechanical mutts make it official: Now full-time at Sellafield's hot zones

Spot's new cleanup gig involves gamma rays, alpha particles, and considerably less PPE than fleshy colleagues

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."

This all dates back to the Cold War era, when the government rushed to develop nuclear materials and weapons at the site – then called Windscale – without considering the need for managing and clearing the resulting nuclear waste. The situation wasn't helped by a fire in 1957 that led to the escape of radioactive fallout.

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.

The devices are fitted with "radiation resistant sensing systems and enhanced data collection payloads" and sensors including LiDAR and "gamma and alpha characterization."

The "perception systems" were developed with Createc, while AtkinsRéalis has worked on systems integration and mission planning. Other collaborators include UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd, the University of Manchester, and AWE Nuclear Security Technologies.

The first deployment into a "highly radiological area" came a few years ago, and showed "these robots can operate in areas traditionally accessible only to workers using full personal protective equipment (PPE) with strict controls."

Savings in PPE are part of the calculus. Human PPE is pricey. Going by the pictures included with the case study, a couple of garden waste bags and some gaffer tape is all you need for a robot dog.

Last year, in conjunction with AtkinsRéalis, Sellafield began trialing remote operations from outside and "successfully completed tasks including repeated inspection runs, environmental mapping, radiological characterization."

So the plan is to move "Spot into routine operations." This will include improved digital integration, including 3D visualization tools, digital twins, and existing information systems.

Sellafield will also "work with partners to design and test new payloads and sensing packs" to support a "wider range of decommissioning tasks [such as] radiological mapping, asset condition assessments, and environmental characterization."

Other robot formats may be deployed. "We'll ensure all robotic technologies meet the strict security requirements of the nuclear sector," Sellafield said.

The Register asked whether the fact the frontrunners in robot tech are not indigenous technologies is a problem from a cybersecurity perspective. We also wondered whether the sort of humanoid robots beloved of Elon Musk or numerous Chinese developers might fit into the plans.

We'll let you know if we hear back. ®