AtkinsRéalis, an engineering services and nuclear company, and Canadian robotic developer Kinova have agreed an extension of their global strategic partnership for a further three years.
This renewed collaboration will help advance the integration of cutting-edge robotic technology in the nuclear sector globally, building on the successful deployment of Kinova’s robotic arm within the patented AtkinsRéalis Remote Glovebox Operation (ARGO) system in the United Kingdom, with demonstration units also operating at the AtkinsRéalis Technology Center (ATC) in Richland, US, and in Montreal, Canada.
The ARGO system was recently used in a world-first deployment at the Sellafield site in the UK, retrofitting a nuclear glovebox with a robotic arm in a successful demonstrator project that proves viability to use at scale across nuclear decommissioning sites.
The next phase of the partnership will focus on further refining and expanding the technology for use in nuclear world-wide to improve safety and unlock efficiencies, including the use of Kinova’s Gen3 robotic arm for remote glovebox operations and decommissioning using ARGO at selected nuclear licensed sites.
Plans include the development of additional tools and functionalities, enabling the system to perform a wider range of tasks for remote handling and treatment of hazardous materials in gloveboxes across the nuclear sector.
Christian Pilon, head of nuclear robotics at AtkinsRéalis, says: “Robotic and automation technology is already improving safety and speed of delivery in the nuclear sector but the full extent of its potential is still to be realized.
“Our work with Kinova is proving how commercial technology used successfully in other sectors can be integrated into nuclear systems through close collaboration and combining engineering expertise and industry knowledge.”
Rodolphe Rosset, sales director at Kinova, says: “We are proud to extend our collaboration with AtkinsRéalis and to see Kinova’s robotic technologies contribute meaningfully to innovation in the nuclear sector.
“This partnership is a powerful example of how our versatile and precise robotic arms, such as the Gen3, can adapt to meet the highest safety and performance standards in demanding environments. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in remote operations.”
AtkinsRéalis is a provider of digital services and technologies in nuclear, with a focus on solutions that reduce risk and unlock the cost, carbon, safety and productivity benefits of digital for the nuclear sector.
This includes the development and implementation of advanced robotic technologies; AI-enabled platforms to automate processes, streamline major project delivery and incorporate technology and robotics for the remote access and monitoring of sites; and digital design and engineering methods for projects across the lifecycle.
