Towards the use of robotic systems at nuclear facilities

Abstract

Abstract The article addresses the matter of the mobile robotic systems (MRS) application at nuclear industry and nuclear energy facilities. Three main types of tasks solved with the help of MRS in order to ensure safety and reduce the radiation load on personnel are described. The scope of application and general requirements for such MRS, typical technological operations, control modes and human-robot interaction are discussed. It is shown that highly specialized robots are mainly used and that their design doesn’t imply a prompt replacement of the payload and adaptation to various tasks. It is noted that most of the modern MRS designed to operate at radiation-hazardous facilities are still teleoperated. The necessity of creating multifunctional modular reconfigurable MRS of various standard-size groups for use at nuclear facilities and increasing the level of their autonomy is substantiated. Key words Mobile robotic system, UGV, nuclear facility, teleoperation, supervisory control. Acknowledgements This work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia No. 075-00913-21-00 dated December 25, 2020 «Development of proposals for improving the state scientific, technical and industrial policy and popularizing achievements in the field of robotics based on an analysis of trends in the development of robotics in Russia and abroad».