Autonomous Nuclear Decommissioning Robot Swarm Completes First Reactor Dismantlement in UK
The DecomBot robot swarm deployed by the UK's Nuclear Decompleting Authority completes autonomous dismantlement of the first decommissioned reactor at the Sellafield nuclear facility, reducing human radiation exposure by 95%.
Autonomous Nuclear Decommissioning Robot Swarm Completes First Reactor Dismantlement in UK
The UK's Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) announced on July 29 that its DecomBot autonomous nuclear decommissioning robot swarm completed the autonomous dismantlement of the first decommissioned Magnox reactor at the Sellafield nuclear facility. Four DecomBot robots operated in a high-radiation environment for six months, completing the cutting of the reactor pressure vessel, sorting of radioactive materials, and encapsulation.
DecomBot is equipped with radiation-hardened cameras, torque sensors, and multiple cutting tools, enabling it to work in high-radiation zones inaccessible to humans. The robot's electronic components have been specially reinforced to withstand cumulative radiation doses of 1,000 Gray — equivalent to 200 times the lethal dose for humans.
With DecomBot, human radiation exposure during the entire dismantlement process was reduced by 95%. The NDA plans to deploy DecomBot at other decommissioning facilities within the Sellafield site. The UK currently has 26 nuclear facilities in various stages of decommissioning or awaiting decommissioning.
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