Rescue robot set for Sellafield nuclear site

This is the claim of Cumbrian robotics specialist Forth, which has built its untethered robot on a 1.6 tonne JCB compact excavator platform – complete with wireless technology, specialist cameras and lights - that has been adapted to withstand conditions in hazardous environments.

According to Forth, the robot can tow a trailer with a fitted hopper for the dispersal of spillages with sand, and an affixative spraying system can be used in the containment of a nuclear spillage.

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It also has the use of a large grapple hook to move obstructions and a specialist 700bar rescue tool - similar to that used by the UK Fire and Rescue Service – to cut through any hazards in its way.

A mobile command and control centre, fitted with live video streaming capability, can be towed to within a 150m radius of the rescue zone.

In a statement, Mark Telford, managing director of Forth, said: “It is important for operators like Sellafield to plan for different scenarios. We have developed this 1.6-tonne robot because it was what was required for this particular task, but we could develop a product of any size - it could be 10-tonnes, for example, if that was what was needed - and fitted with any type of tools for a range of tasks.”