Boston Dynamics, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group specializing in robotics, has deployed its Spot robot to assist in the dismantling of nuclear facilities in the UK. Recently, the UK public enterprise Sellafield publicly announced that they are utilizing Spot in their nuclear facility demolition efforts. The purpose of this deployment is to enhance safety and sustainability in such hazardous work environments by having the robot perform tasks in dangerous areas that are typically unsafe for human workers.

Sellafield is responsible for managing the dismantling of nuclear facilities and the handling of radioactive waste in the UK. Precise data collection and thorough inspections are essential for ensuring safety in these operations. However, the inherent risks associated with radiation exposure and the complex internal structures of the facilities pose significant safety challenges for human workers. To address this issue, Sellafield has implemented a robotics-based field inspection system. Spot is utilized to gather data and conduct remote assessments in areas where human entry is treacherous, equipped with 360-degree video recording and 3D LiDAR scanning capabilities that aid in detailed site assessments.

In addition to its role in nuclear facility dismantling, Spot is also involved in radiation characterization tasks to verify the presence of radioactive materials and sampling test operations to check for radiation contamination within the facilities. Sellafield highlights that using Spot has significantly reduced the exposure risk for human workers, allowing the robot to remain on-site for extended periods, ultimately speeding up inspection operations. Spot's versatility is demonstrated as it is also deployed across various industries including POSCO, the Australian natural gas producer Woodside Energy, and the global food company Cargill, showcasing its ability to enhance safety and operational efficiency in challenging work environments.