Our Sellafield - May 2021

Updates Evolve Finance News May 2021 Our Sellafield 10 NEWS On land, under the sea, and in the air... How we’re bringing together all the robots that will help us craeate a clean and safe environment for future generations Robots have been used on and around the Sellafield site for decades. As the technology has improved and the concept of artificial intelligence has been introduced and perfected, more and more ways of integrating them into our work have been found. Whether on land, in water or in the air, there is a job for a robot to do at Sellafield. But until now their use has been fragmented. Our robotics and artificial intelligence team are now bringing all this work together – with the aim of developing a more joined-up, collaborative approach to robotics that will speed up their introduction, save money, and ultimately get the right kit in the right place to deliver our mission. Robots can operate safely in hazardous conditions, they can fit where no human ever could, and they can perform tasks in hard-to- reach areas quickly and simply. All of which are vital to achieving Sellafield’s eventual goal of creating a clean and safe environment for future generations. Sometimes these robots can be bought “off the shelf” – other times the hostile nature of Sellafield’s environments mean a great deal of customising is required. By centralising this work, we’ll know what is available, and what work has already been done to create hardened robots ideal for our ponds and silos – and beyond into the wider NDA group. “Robotics and artificial intelligence are fundamental in delivering our mission to keeping our people safe and out of harm’s way,” explained head of robotics and artificial intelligence Rav Chunilal. “Using robotics and AI effectively can have a positive impact on both nuclear and conventional safety. They can be used to perform repetitive, difficult and time- consuming jobs remotely – freeing up our people to take on roles that are more fulfilling and rewarding, ultimately helping deliver our organisations purpose. We will focus on the long-term uses of these technologies as they continue to develop and evolve.”