ROBOTICS & DIGITAL | NUCLEAR INNOVATION
be developed for complex challenges, such as surveying the Dounreay duct.” Although the Spot robots for the latest trials were
Above: Lyra, developed by researchers at The University of Manchester, is also engaged in decommissioning work
Lyra was fitted with tracks and given a relatively high
ground clearance to enable it to clear the considerable amounts of rubble that lay in the duct. The radiation sensing package was designed to be able to measure beta, gamma, x-ray, and neutron radiation. Cameras were attached to the end of the manipulator arm which allowed for detailed inspection of any areas of interest that were identified during the survey. Lyra is controlled via a joypad, which is used for driving, and a compliant manipulator arm whose motion is copied by the arm on the robot. The radiation sensing package coupled with the LIDAR and live camera footage enabled a 3D, time stamped video to be developed with the radiation readings as measured overlayed onto the video such that any point of interest or high radiation measurement could be pin pointed within the duct. Barry Lennox, RAIN Director said: “We wanted to demonstrate that the robot could be used successfully in active areas. We added fail safe devices, including a remote “reboot” switch, and a winch to enable us to physically retrieve the robot if it got stuck on the debris in the duct. The survey has demonstrated Lyra’s reliability in active areas.” Lyra was untethered, but the winch retrieval mechanism,
could be used to drag it back to an access point or to shift it off rubble if it became beached. An independent, wireless reset device rwas also incorporated that enabled Lyra to perform a ‘hard reset’ if necessary. The deployment of Lyra was completed in partnership with the operations team at DSRL. It was supported by innovation and technology transfer specialists FIS360. Their Managing Director, Frank Allison said: “The development and deployment of Lyra highlights the benefits that robotics technology offers the nuclear industry and the importance of academia, end-users and businesses in the supply chain working together. It is only through collaborative working, like this, that solutions can
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delivered to Dounreay in June, previously Spot had been deployed at other NDA sites most notably at Sellafield. There they had become a mascot for the range of robotic tools and innovations that are transforming work there. Sellafield is one of the world’s most complex legacy clean up sites with numerous facilities including reactors that were part of the UK’s post-war atomic weapons programme. Sellafield’s remediation teams are leading Spot’s deployment for Sellafield Ltd, working with Createc, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and manufacturer Boston Dynamics. Spot made its debut on the Sellafield site in October 2021 when it undertook three days of successful trials at Calder Hall, the former nuclear power station which is now being decommissioned. Calder Hall’s former turbine hall provided the perfect tricky terrain to test Spot’s agility. Valuable information was collected through laser scanning and gamma radiation imaging using a system provided by Createc. The robot worked wearing a suit specially designed and manufactured by the UKAEA which protected it from radioactive contamination. This was provided via the National Nuclear User Facility for Hot Robotics (NNUF- HR). Chris Hope, remediation capability development manager, Sellafield Ltd said it was a really challenging task. ”We deployed Spot into a complex, cluttered, highly contaminated area with a mission to capture information. The quality of the data we captured is fantastic and will help us with our decommissioning and waste planning.” This type of survey previously depended on operators manually deploying equipment in hazardous environments wearing full protective equipment. Spot’s protective suit also proved effective. The robot was monitored and cleared by the health physics team, and was thus able to subsequently leave the Sellafield site. This is an important consideration for more widespread robotic deployments. Charlotte Brew, sub project manager, Sellafield Ltd,
said: “We started with demonstrations of its potential and six months later, we’re using it to accelerate high hazard reduction. This work wasn’t meant to start happening until the late 2020s but identifying Spot like this has brought it forward. Just one robot dog is making a massive difference. Sellafield Ltd operator, Paul Lupton said: “Before we
would have two operators go in, and this would need up to seven other people, taking up to four hours to prepare for an hour’s work. With Spot we do an hour, the battery runs out and we re-charge. Even just an entry to take a photograph would be a major job. Now we just use the dog. It’s all there inside the cell waiting for you.” Melanie Brownridge, NDA Technology & Innovation
Director said: “This is a great example of taking innovation all the way through to deployment and being able to actually see the benefits being realised on our sites. This exciting technology is helping move our people away from harm, reducing our costs significantly and could help us deliver our mission years earlier than planned.” She added: “We are also seeing the benefits across the NDA group as we share our experiences to overcome common challenges across multiple sites. Well done to the team for not only embracing innovation but making it business as usual.” ■
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