Article

Sellafield Ltd and the Robotics & AI Collaboration (RAICo) have conducted the first trial of a patent-pending contamination swabbing tool mounted on a quadruped robot in a radioactive environment. This technology aims to enhance efficiency in health physics activities while minimizing human exposure to hazardous conditions.

The swabbing tool, developed through RAICo, replicates complex swabbing motions using a unique attachment, a haptic controller from Haply Robotics, and custom software. During the trial, the robot successfully swabbed a mock-contaminated surface and retrieved a sample, demonstrating the feasibility of remote operations in nuclear decommissioning. This advancement indicates potential for broader robotic applications at Sellafield, enhancing safety and efficiency in decommissioning tasks.