Oct 26, 2020 11:55:00

Operation test of quadruped walking robot 'SPOT' in the exclusion zone of Chernobyl

The

Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986 is known as one of the worst nuclear power plant accidents in the world and still has an exclusion zone . It was reported that an operational test of Boston Dynamics' quadruped walking robot 'SPOT' was conducted in such an exclusion zone of Chernobyl.

Робот-пес від Boston Dynamics зам іряв радіацrie ю у Зоні відчуження
https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-technology/3122689-robotpes-vid-boston-dynamics-zamirav-radiaciu-u-zoni-vidcuzenna.html

Boston Dynamics' dog-like robot spotted in Chernobyl
https://defence-blog.com/news/army/boston-dynamics-dog-like-robot-spotted-in-chernobyl.html

SPOT is a robot that has attracted a great deal of attention because it looks 'unpleasant', but it has high mobility and can move around complex terrain quickly, and various daily tasks such as data collection can be performed remotely, safely and automatically. It is possible to handle it.

It was reported that the police bomb processing team is considering the adoption of SPOT, and in 2020 it will be used for remote triage of infected people in the pandemic of the new coronavirus, and it will be introduced to various sites. It's going on.

Boston Dynamics' quadruped walking robot 'Spot' is being used for remote triage of people infected with the new coronavirus --GIGAZINE

On October 22, 2020, a research group at the University of Bristol conducted an operational test of a robot in an exclusion zone in collaboration with experts from a company responsible for the treatment of radioactive waste. The robots tested were drones and ground robots, including the Boston Dynamics SPOT.

You can see how the research team actually tests the robot in the exclusion zone by watching the following movie.

Робот Boston Dynamics на ЧАЕС (РУС + ENG) --YouTube


On October 22, 2020, a research team at the University of Bristol visited the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

The purpose of the research team is to test remote-controlled robots in the exclusion zone of Chernobyl ...

Among them was the SPOT, a quadruped walking robot developed by Boston Dynamics.

Dave Megson-Smith, who participated in this test, is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bristol who is researching sensors that can be used in the nuclear industry.

The research team put a robot in the exclusion zone and conducted a test to remotely map the radiation dose. The SPOT's feet are covered with a plastic bag before being placed in the exclusion zone.

This is to prevent radiation contamination, similar to what is placed on a human foot.

A SPOT that roams the exclusion zone provided to prevent the diffusion of radioactive substances and the influence of external influences on the reactor and to facilitate the dismantling and abolition of the reactor.

The research team is tracking the movement of SPOT and checking for problems.

If robots such as SPOT can be used for measurement, radiation dose mapping can be automated, and it is expected that people will be less likely to enter dangerous places.

Megson-Smith said the results of this test will help him better understand the problem and improve the technology for problem solving.