‘Spot’ to carry out remote survey of Cold War weapons testing facilities

The buildings at the National Trust’s Orford Ness Nature Reserve were used to test the atomic bomb during the Cold War but have been off-limits to visitors and staff for several years because they fell into disrepair. 

Angus Wainwright, National Trust archaeologist, said: “The buildings used to be quite safe so we could go in and out as much as we liked, but now they are getting more risky as the concrete decays. That’s why we are doing this survey in this remote way, without anyone going into the buildings. 

“It’s all very experimental, to see if it’s possible to do a really detailed building survey with no human operator in the building.” 

BAM is working in partnership with the National Trust to deploy advanced surveying technology at the site using drones and Spot, which can be equipped to gather a wide range of data, generate detailed 3D maps, and identify anomalies. At Orford Ness, Spot has been fitted with a Trimble X7 laser scanner and a camera. The robot’s four hinged legs allow BAM to control it remotely from a safe distance.