Autonomous robot deployed for first time in fusion facility
For the first time, an autonomous robot has been successfully deployed to carry out inspections in a fusion facility.
The 35-day trial took place in the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)’s Joint European Torus (JET) facility, one of the largest and most powerful fusion research facilities until its recent scientific operational shutdown. The work was carried out in collaboration with Oxford Robotics Institute.
In a statement, Dr Robert Skilton, head of research, at UKAEA’s Remote Applications in Challenging Environments division, said: “The project aimed to validate the reliability of autonomous robotic technology and instil trust and confidence in their use for safe and efficient inspections in fusion facilities over extended periods.”
Dr Skilton continued: “This deployment demonstrates that autonomous robots can enhance safety and cut costs. These ‘next generation’ solutions are becoming ready to be used in other industrial facilities such as nuclear decommissioning, environmental clean-up, and disaster relief.”
JET provided an opportunity to test ORI’s autonomy platform AutoInspect controlling a Boston Dynamics Spot quadruped robot in an environment still hazardous after two high-powered deuterium-tritium experiments in the space of three years.
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