Scientists have proposed the use of autonomous robots, known as SMuRFs (Symbiotic Multi-Robot Fleet), in the decommissioning of nuclear power stations. Collaboratively developed by engineers from the University of Glasgow, University of Manchester, Bristol Robotics Laboratory, and Heriot-Watt University, the SMuRF system enables wheeled, four-legged, and airborne robots to work together seamlessly. These robots can undertake tasks that may be challenging or dangerous for humans to perform independently. The robots share sensor data with each other and are supervised remotely by a human operator, allowing them to combine their abilities for efficient and effective results.
Deployment of the SMuRF system was demonstrated at the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) facility in Cumbria, in a simulated radioactive storage facility with challenges similar to those found in real nuclear power decommissioning environments. During the demonstration, the SMuRF successfully completed an inspection mission. The robots’ collaboration is made possible through a sophisticated computer system called a cyber physical system (CPS). The CPS can communicate with up to 1,600 sensors, robots, and other digital and physical assets in near-real-time. It enables robots with different abilities and operating systems to work together and provides updates to the human operator. The data collected and processed by the CPS can create a 3D digital twin of a real space, allowing the SMuRF to navigate and perform tasks with minimal oversight.
The SMuRF’s ability to collaborate was evident during the post-operational cleanout tasks, commonly performed in radiation monitoring around nuclear sites. The robots worked together to map the environment, creating a 3D digital twin using their onboard sensors. An aerial drone piloted by a human operator provided additional mapping. Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot used its flexible arm to scan areas up close, while the wheeled robots Scout and CARMA mapped radiation levels. The CARMA robot successfully detected a simulated spill of radioactive liquid beneath a waste barrel, which could be crucial for containment and cleanup in real-world scenarios.
Dr. Daniel Mitchell, the corresponding author of the research paper and a faculty member at the University of Glasgow, emphasized the robots’ unique abilities and limitations, as well as their operating systems. He expressed satisfaction with the successful collaboration of the robots during the deployment and highlighted the remarkable situational awareness the digital twin provided to human operators. Dr. Mitchell believes that the SMuRF could be instrumental in the challenges of working in hazardous environments such as nuclear inspection and decommissioning. Although human oversight and direction of the robot fleet will still be necessary, the high level of autonomy exhibited by the SMuRF could enhance safety measures by enabling operators to interact with the robots remotely.
Professor David Flynn, co-author of the research paper and Professor in Cyber Physical Systems at the University of Glasgow, acknowledged the potential of autonomous robotic fleets in addressing a wide array of dangerous, dirty, dull, distant, and expensive tasks. In addition to the nuclear sector, Professor Flynn highlighted the tremendous potential in offshore power generation. The SMuRFs could handle routine inspection and repair tasks, saving costs and minimizing the risks associated with transporting personnel to offshore sites. This development would ensure uninterrupted power supply and maximize the utilization of renewable energy platforms.
Future research aims to integrate a wider range of robots with diverse sensing abilities, improved mobility, and object manipulation skills within the SMuRF fleets. The researchers were inspired by fleet management systems in strategic video games, which depict individual members of the SMuRF operating simultaneously in the digital twin environment. This approach allows the human operator to focus on a single interface, enhancing their understanding of the task at hand.
The use of autonomous robots in the decommissioning of nuclear power stations has the potential to revolutionize current practices, providing safer and faster methods of monitoring nuclear facilities. This development also opens up opportunities for the maintenance of engineering infrastructure in challenging environments like offshore wind power platforms.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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