Lancaster University engineers are developing computer systems for robots dealing with hazardous nuclear waste.
The software will make the robots semi-autonomous – simplifying human control, which has to be done remotely due to the highly radioactive environments in which the robots operate.
The software has the potential to significantly speed-up decommissioning operations, while also retaining human oversight of the robot.
Making use of novel imaging software and a Microsoft Kinect camera added to a mobile robot with two manipulating arms, the system makes it easier to identify, grasp and cut objects – such as metal pipes, which are a common material found in nuclear decommissioning sites.
James Taylor, Professor of Control Engineering at Lancaster University’s Department of Engineering, said: “The standard within nuclear decommissioning is for direct human-controlled remote tele-operation of robots, which is extremely difficult for the operators particularly given the complexity of nuclear decommissioning tasks. Fully autonomous solutions are unlikely to be deemed safe in the near future and so we have explored creating a semi-autonomous solution that sits between the two.
“By making use of a single camera mounted on the robot our system focusses on a common task in these harsh environments – the selecting and cutting of pipes. Our system enables an operator to instruct the robot manipulator to perform a pipe grasp and cut action with just four mouse clicks.
“Tests show that operators using this system successfully outperform operators using the current joystick-based standard. It keeps the user in control of the overall robot but significantly reduces user workload and operation time.”
So far the system has been tested in laboratory conditions with a small number of operators. The researchers recognise that further testing is required, and additional measures, such as shielding, would be needed to prepare the system for radioactive environments.
Learn more: Developing semi-automatic nuclear decommissioning robots
The Latest on: Nuclear decommissioning robots
[google_news title=”” keyword=”nuclear decommissioning robots” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Nuclear decommissioning robots
- VNS tooling up for roboticson May 17, 2024 at 9:23 pm
A part of Veolia Group, Veolia Nuclear Solutions (VNS), announced a collaboration agreement to deploy the Siteflow platform to support the design, execution, and functionality of its remotely operated ...
- Customers wanted for tunnel fit-out roboton May 15, 2024 at 11:14 pm
A consortium of mechanical and civil engineering, and robotics specialists have developed a machine that could eliminate manual labour from fitting out tunnels .
- Costain consortium develops tunnel infrastructure roboton May 14, 2024 at 4:38 am
A consortium involving Costain has developed a prototype robot to make tunnel infrastructure installation more efficient and safer.
- Future innovators challenged by UK robotics leaders to design nuclear fission and fusion decommissioning robotson May 11, 2024 at 10:34 pm
The collaboration is accelerating the deployment of robotics and AI in nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering. iSH, based in West Cumbria, works on delivering programmes that bring ...
- Cumbria students to construct robots for nuclear wasteon May 10, 2024 at 10:00 pm
The challenge focuses on building robots capable of dealing with waste from nuclear fission and fusion, echoing real-world circumstances within the decommissioning industry. It demands the ...
- Cumbria students take on nuclear transporting robot challengeon May 10, 2024 at 9:00 pm
Students in West Cumbria have been set a task by the Robotics and AI Collaboration, to build their very own robots.
- Future Innovators Challenged to Design Nuclear Fission and Fusion Decommissioning Robotson May 10, 2024 at 11:07 am
Students in West Cumbria have been tasked by the Robotics and AI Collaboration and the Industrial Solutions Hub to design and build robots which will be showcased at a major robotics and artificial ...
- UK students to use AI, robotics to develop nuclear decommissioning solutionson May 10, 2024 at 6:32 am
The challenge has been organized by the Robotics and AI Collaboration (RAICo) — a joint effort between the UK Atomic Energy Authority, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd and the ...
- Images taken deep inside melted Fukushima reactor show damage, but leave many questions unansweredon March 19, 2024 at 2:01 am
TOKYO (AP) — Images taken by miniature drones from deep inside a badly damaged reactor at the Fukushima nuclear plant show ... the daunting task of decommissioning the plant.
- Meeting the challenges of decommissioningon May 11, 2023 at 6:45 am
Meanwhile, new technologies such as data science, artificial intelligence, robotics and drones are bringing greater ... the IAEA are vital to meeting the growing global demand for nuclear ...
via Bing News