Robot 'dog' maps radioactive site at power plant
Spot the robot dog
At a glance
A robot "dog" has surveyed a radioactive area of the Dounreay nuclear site
Spot was fitted with a protective coat during its mission
The robot mapped the facility and also gathered radiological data
Dounreay said it was the first work of its kind in western Europe
- Published
A robot "dog" called Spot has mapped out a four-storey radioactive facility at a Scottish nuclear power site.
The four-legged robot was put through a series of tests before being sent on its survey of the cell at Dounreay, near Thurso.
Spot, who was fitted with a protective jacket, had to climb several flights of stairs in pitch-black darkness.
It mapped the cell and gathered radiological data.
Operators with Spot at Dounreay
Dounreay said the mission was the first of its kind in western Europe.
Spot is a robot from US-based Boston Dynamics and is operated by a team from Dounreay and Cumbria-headquartered company Createc.
The robot is expected to be deployed on further missions in the coming months.
Dounreay was the UK's centre of fast reactor research and development from 1955 until 1994.
The site is in the process of being closed down, demolished and cleaned up.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority said it could be 2333 before the 148-acre site is safe for reuse.
- Published8 June 2023
