Virtual technology can reduce time spent in hazardous environments by up to 40%
An immersive digital facility has been installed at a robotics and artificial intelligence centre in northwest England, giving nuclear specialists a powerful way to plan and deliver decommissioning work more safely.
Developed by Canada-based AtkinsRéalis in partnership with Sellafield Ltd and UK-based immersive technology specialist Igloo Vision, the facility brings together remotely operated robotics systems and data visualisation in a single interactive space.
It is expected to reduce time spent in hazardous environments by up to 40%, using robotics and live data streaming to enable remote operations and monitoring.
Designed to accommodate up to 10 users, the 360-degree visual environment allows engineers, operators and project teams to step inside digital versions of facilities and operational scenarios before work begins on site.
A team planning work in a restricted area can walk the route virtually, with live imagery from robotic platforms on site displayed as conditions change.
The new facility is at the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo1) facility in Whitehaven, West Cumbria. RAICo1, launched jointly by Sellafield Ltd and government body the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), was opened in 2022 to develop remote operations, digital twins, and autonomous technology designed to accelerate complex nuclear decommissioning projects.
The facility forms part of Sellafield Ltd’s wider strategy to combine robotics, AI, modelling capabilities and advanced visualisation technologies to transform how nuclear decommissioning is planned, rehearsed and delivered.
Richard Brook, digital solutions lead for nuclear at AtkinsRéalis, said decommissioning some of the UK’s most complex nuclear facilities requires teams to make critical decisions efficiently and safely.
“This new capability gives nuclear and engineering experts a completely different way to engage with information. Teams can better visualise challenges and work through solutions together before activities begin on site.”
Sellafield Ltd is a government-controlled company under the NDA that manages the cleanup, decommissioning and environmental restoration of the massive Sellafield nuclear site in Cumbria.
Operations at Sellafield began in 1947. Past work included making material for nuclear weapons, running the world's first commercial nuclear station (Calder Hall) and recycling nuclear fuel.
