Dog-like robot Spot has been used to map the radioactive zone at the UK's Dounreay nuclear power station

As part of decommissioning work at the UK's Dounreay nuclear power station in Scotland, Boston Dynamics' dog-like robot Spot has surveyed a radioactive site that has been closed for 25 years.

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At Dounreay nuclear power station, two Spots were deployed on an evaporation chamber in the fuel cycle area, which houses facilities for spent fuel separation and uranium and plutonium recovery.

The tests were conducted by Dounreay personnel and staff from Createc, Spot's system integrator.

Initially, Spot and its operators were trained on a wooden mock-up of the evaporation chamber. Then the dog-like robot, clad in a protective suit, climbed several flights of stairs and entered the actual chamber.

Inside, Spot created a full 3D map of the four-storey chamber. He also collected data to create a dosimetric map showing areas with high levels of radioactivity.

"Spot has shown us the hazards that might affect workers who are tasked with the decommissioning. We will use the data to ensure that we mitigate those hazards and keep our people safe", said Bernie Jones, project manager at Dounreay.

Over the next few months, the research team will explore seven more uses for the dog-like robot.

Source: The Next Web