**Remote-controlled robot dogs could help decommission the defunct Sellafield nuclear plant after successful trials.**
Operators working from the Westlakes Science Park in Whitehaven, around eight miles from Sellafield, remotely operated “safely and securely” a custom Boston Dynamics Spot Quadrupedal Robot ‘dog’ that could carry out tasks such as remote inspections, data gathering and clean-up work.
Energy generation at the plant stopped in 2003, but the painstaking decommissioning process typically takes decades and presents radioactive hazards to workers. Sellafield is unusual in that the decommissioning challenge also encompasses early nuclear research and nuclear weapons programmes that took place on the site.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is not expecting full site remediation to be completed until 2125.
But robotics could now play a major role in future. The latest trial took remote operations a step further by removing the operator from the nuclear site all together, thanks to a highly secure virtual access network and live-streamed footage.
“This successful trial marks a significant milestone in our journey towards integrating advanced robotics into our operations at Sellafield,” said Deon Bulman, ROV equipment programme lead at Sellafield.
“The ability to remotely operate robotic systems like Spot demonstrates how digital innovation can enhance safety, efficiency and decision-making on nuclear-licensed sites.
“By collaborating with \[engineering firm\] AtkinsRéalis, we are exploring cutting-edge solutions that not only support our decommissioning mission but also pave the way for future advancements in remote operations.”
This kind of virtual site access is already deployed by AtkinsRéalis for major construction projects around the world, but it’s the first time it’s been trialled on a nuclear licensed site.
Richard Brook, technology solutions lead for decommissioning at AtkinsRéalis, said: “Sellafield Ltd has pioneered the adoption of technology across its operations, and this latest milestone is another step forward for the role of robotics in decommissioning.
“Virtual site access is already being used in the delivery of major infrastructure programmes: this trial is a big step towards unlocking its benefits for nuclear licensed sites without compromising safety or security.”
The same model of robot was recently used to inspect the inside of the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Joint European Torus (JET) facility, which is where research into fusion energy took place.
Last year, a report from the National Audit Office cited concerns over the Sellafield decommissioning project, saying that the pace of delivery was not achieving value for money for the taxpayer.