Robot dog patrols extreme environments
Last spring, the local mayors from the Nördlich Lägern region visited the Onkalo repository in Finland. Not long after, another Swiss explored the Finnish underground tunnels – this time in the form of a four-legged robot developed by the start-up ANYbotics. This robot, which resembles a dog, can travel predetermined routes on its own and can even negotiate difficult terrain or stairs. It can recognise obstacles and autonomously find alternative routes to get around them.
Robots can be used in places where humans cannot go, thereby increasing the safety of employees. They can monitor the tunnels during construction, transport containers during the emplacement process and monitor systems by, for example, measuring the dose rate. ANYmal, the four-legged robot from ANYbotics, specialises in the latter. “ANYmal was specifically designed for use in extreme environments where accurate data and reliable monitoring are critical,” explains Duncan Kennan, Lead Nuclear at ANYbotics. Putting it to work in a deep geological repository is thus a logical conclusion.
Founded in 2016 as a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich, the company specialises in monitoring robots for industrial plants, nuclear power plants and now also deep geological repositories.
“These autonomous helpers not only offer increased safety by reducing workers’ direct exposure to radiation, but also improve the efficiency and precision of monitoring processes,” Duncan Kennan clarifies. ANYbotics does not intend to take jobs away from people, but rather make their work safer and more interesting. By assigning a robot certain tasks, workers could spend less time carrying out repetitive work or staying in unpleasant places. But will this also work in practice?
How the robot can ensure safety
In Finland’s deep geological repository, ANYmal will carry out measurements, such as for gas and radiation, in places where increased radiation levels could pose a threat to humans. The battery-powered robot can perform its tasks for around 90 minutes, before having to return to its dock to recharge, all without requiring human intervention. “ANYmal is able to navigate autonomously through complex environments. This novel ability is an important development in robotics,” says Duncan Kennan. “Unlike humans, robots can carry out the same test in the same place and with the same accuracy for 365 days a year. This makes it possible to detect even minimum changes and increase safety. We are very satisfied with the initial tests conducted in Finland.”
ANYmal in the depths of Onkalo: monitoring radioactive waste in Finland
Nagra’s plans
Nagra has also already taken a close look at the use of robotics. Even though there will be no open radiation sources in the Swiss deep geological repository, robots can reduce the greatest risk factor of accidents: human error. As is the case in all nuclear facilities, the ALARA principle also applies to a repository. ALARA stands for “as low as reasonably achievable”, meaning that the dose levels of employees should be reduced insofar as this can be achieved with reasonable effort. Autonomous systems could therefore also be used in places where people would only be exposed to minimum radiation levels.
One area of application, analogous to the ANYmal test in Finland, is monitoring radiation and dose levels in the repository. This task can be performed by either static or mobile sensors attached to robots. In the case of the Swiss deep geological repository, however, the robot does not necessarily have to resemble a dog as the terrain is practically barrier-free and very well structured. Mobile sensors on wheels would also get the job done. In contrast, the terrain in Onkalo, Finland, is much more challenging.
In addition to tours monitoring the repository, autonomous systems could conceivably be used for other purposes such as the transport and emplacement of disposal containers. Self-driving vehicles could also be used to tour the deep geological repository, where it is particularly crucial to work accurately and avoid collisions. The use of such systems is primarily intended to increase safety rather than speed or efficiency.
Do robots pose a threat?
Anyone who deals with the topics of robots and AI has had to confront ethical issues. Ever since the first Terminator film, we have all been at least a little afraid of a computer taking over the world. What potential dangers could these autonomous robots pose in a deep geological repository? “IT security is a top priority for the deep geological repository project,” says Patrick Zimmermann, Section Head of Facilities and Operation at Nagra. “The robots operate inside a closed system and are therefore offline. Employees with their laptops, which are connected to the internet, are a greater risk.
System security is also a top priority at ANYbotics: its little helpers do not require an internet connection and can be operated offline.
Robots can therefore increase the safety of the repository for humans and the environment. Are there any disadvantages? Yes, there are some, acknowledges Zimmermann, who was able to witness autonomous robots being put to use in a cement factory and was also involved with autonomous transport systems in a previous job. “The effort involved in keeping the systems up to date is increasing continuously and requires a great deal of expertise.” The more advanced the technology becomes, the more often the hardware and software have to be updated.
However, the robots would not generate more radioactive waste. “There are no open sources of radiation whatsoever in the repository, so the robots are not at risk of being exposed to radiation.”
What the future holds
While Finland will soon start emplacing its waste, Switzerland has to wait around another 25 years. Further advances in robotics can be expected during this time. “We already have a plan and know how we would construct and operate the repository today. Nevertheless, we are actively observing technological developments and are always on the lookout for optimisation opportunities,” says Zimmermann. “It is crucial that we not only monitor developments, but actively integrate them into our plans in order to continuously improve the safety and efficiency of the deep geological repository.” Clearly, robots will also be indispensable for the Swiss deep geological repository.
Photos and videos: Tapani Karjanlahti/Posiva
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