24 Apr Mapping Radioactive Power Plant Site Using Boston Dynamics Spot and Rajant BreadCrumb®

Createc, in collaboration with Rajant, has accomplished a remarkable feat in addressing the hazardous nature of inspecting radioactive sites. Their innovative solution has played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety of locations like the UK’s Dounreay nuclear site, which is undergoing extensive cleanup and demolition efforts. By leveraging robotic surveying technology in partnership with Boston Dynamics, Createc and Rajant have effectively kept humans out of harm’s way, contributing significantly to the protection of both workers and future generations.

The Dounreay nuclear site in Scotland, once a hub for nuclear research, is now undergoing extensive cleanup and demolition. However, one challenge was the sealed, non-operational multi-floor nuclear processing cell, which lacked information on contamination levels, hindering decommissioning efforts.

Createc addressed this challenge with their NV-X system, a real-time radiation mapping solution. Integrated with Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot, NV-X could navigate the cell’s complex environment, aided by Rajant BreadCrumbs for wireless communication. This setup allowed for remote operation, ensuring operator safety.

Spot, equipped with a manipulator arm and NV-X payload, entered the cell. Rajant’s ES1 radios, powered by custom-designed Smart PoE Powerbanks, facilitated communication within the challenging environment. BC|Commander monitored the network’s health, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission.

The Spot with the manipulator arm deployed BreadCrumbs and conducted various missions, including sample collection and object inspection. Meanwhile, the Spot with NV-X performed 3D laser scans and radiometric surveys across the cell’s floors. These data were merged into a comprehensive model, aiding decommissioning planning.

The modular nature of NV-X allowed integration with different sensors, enhancing data capture capabilities. Partnering with Leica Geosystems, Createc utilized the BLKARC for geospatial surveys, further enriching the dataset.

Overall, the deployment successfully mapped radiation sources and dose planes within the cell, providing valuable insights for decommissioning strategies. The use of robotic technology, coupled with innovative communication solutions, demonstrates a safer and more efficient approach to tackling challenges in nuclear cleanup projects.

Ready to dive deeper into the innovative solution that transformed the Dounreay nuclear site cleanup? Download the full case study now to discover how cutting-edge robotics, advanced radiation mapping, and resilient communication technology combined to overcome challenges and pave the way for safe and efficient decommissioning. Don’t miss out on this fascinating story of innovation in action!

By leveraging robotic surveying technology in partnership with Boston Dynamics, Createc and Rajant have effectively kept humans out of harm’s way, contributing significantly to the protection of both workers and future generations. To learn more about this groundbreaking project, download the case study as a PDF by clicking here.