Forth, based in the UK, has developed the rescue robot for Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria. In the event of an incident the robot can be sent in remotely and operated at a safe distance from a command and control centre.
The robot is built on a 1.6 tonne JCB compact excavator platform, specially adapted to withstand conditions in hazardous environments, and fitted with robotics systems and wireless technology as well as specialist cameras and lights.
The robot has the ability to tow a trailer with a fitted hopper that can disperse a bund of sand to contain any type of spillage. It also has the use of a large grapple hook that will be used to move any obstruction the robot may come across.
Also fitted to the robot is an affixative spraying system that is used assist in the containment of a nuclear spillage.
A specialist 700bar rescue tool similar to that used by the UK Fire and Rescue Service has also been fitted to the robot so it can cut through any hazards in its way and access the rescue zone.
A mobile command and control centre, fitted with live video streaming capability, will be towed to within a 150-metre radius of the rescue zone. The rescue robot will be deployed and will be able to be safely and remotely operated throughout its mission.
Previous machines which have been used by Sellafield have needed a tether. This is the first product of its type which has been developed for the plant which can be remotely operated.
Mark Telford, managing director of Forth, said: “This is a first for Sellafield to have this type of remotely-operated rescue robot. It is important for operators like Sellafield to plan for different scenarios and we are proud to have come up with such an innovative solution. We can adapt this technology for any industry or any organisation which would benefit from a rescue robot helping keep humans safe. We have developed this 1.6-tonne robot because it was what was required for this particular task.
“But we could develop a product of any size - it could be 10-tonnes, for example, if that was what was needed - and fitted with any type of tools for a range of tasks. It’s the ability to remotely operate it from a control and command centre which makes it so versatile in a range of hazardous environments.”
In addition, an ‘intelligent’ underwater autonomous survey robot fitted with sonar technology to detect and avoid obstacles so it can be used near critical infrastructure was recently successfully showcased in a live demonstration at Forth’s headquarters. Autonomous Aquatic Inspection and Intervention (A2I2) robot developed by a collaboration of companies from across the UK successfully completed its nuclear use case drop two trials at Forth’s Deep Recovery Facility in Cumbria in March.
The A2I2 collaborative R&D project, led by Rovco and supported by Innovate UK under the Industrial Strategy Research Fund, involves Forth, Rovco, D-RisQ, the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Thales UK and The University of Manchester.
Forth is also working with partners across Europe on the RESURGAM (Robotic Survey, Repair and Agile Manufacture) project and using its expertise to develop underwater friction stir welding technology to help make repairs to ships' hulls safer, faster and more cost-efficient than conventional welding.