AtkinsRéalis, Sellafield Ltd and immersive technology specialist Igloo Vision have developed a 360-degree immersive environment for planning and delivering nuclear decommissioning work. It is based at the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo1) facility in Whitehaven, West Cumbria.
The room brings remotely operated robotics systems and data visualisation together in a single interactive space. Engineers, operators and project teams can step inside digital versions of facilities and operational scenarios before work begins on site. A team planning work in a restricted area can walk the route virtually, with live imagery from robotic platforms on site displayed as conditions change. Published photography of the room shows both surround 360-degree site environments and a second mode in which live robot camera feeds and sensor dashboards are projected across the walls.
The environment is designed to accommodate up to 10 users and is expected to reduce time spent in hazardous environments by up to 40%, using robotics and live data streaming to enable remote operations and monitoring. It also provides a dedicated space for collaborative operations planning, letting multidisciplinary teams test approaches and respond quickly to emerging issues.
The project builds on AtkinsRéalis' Lava Lab network and on the delivery of Sellafield's existing Immersion Room at Hinton House in Risley, Cheshire. Sellafield has said a further immersive capability is being developed on the Sellafield site itself, forming a connected ecosystem that links innovation and operational planning to frontline delivery.
