Immersive environment to accelerate UK nuclear decommissioning

Developed by engineering services and nuclear company AtkinsRéalis in partnership with Sellafield Ltd and immersive technology specialist Igloo Vision Ltd, the facility brings together remotely operated robotics systems and data visualisation in a single interactive space. It is expected to reduce the time workers spend in hazardous environments by up to 40%, using robotics and live data streaming to enable remote operations and monitoring.

Designed to accommodate up to ten users, the 360-degree visual environment allows engineers, operators and project teams to 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. The facility also provides a dedicated space for collaborative operations planning, enabling multidisciplinary teams to test approaches and respond quickly to emerging issues.

The project builds on expertise gained through AtkinsRéalis' Lava Lab network and the delivery of Sellafield Ltd's immersive facility at Hinton House in Risley, Cheshire, applying proven immersive technologies to support safer and more efficient decommissioning projects.

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AtkinsRéalis said it played a key role in integrating Igloo Vision's immersive platform with Sellafield Ltd's digital information and operational requirements, creating a practical tool for planning, training and decision-making. Early engagement between the project partners ensured the design met operational needs while allowing flexibility for future expansion and innovation, it added.

"Decommissioning some of the UK's most complex nuclear facilities requires teams to make critical decisions efficiently and safely," said Richard Brook, Digital Solutions Lead for Nuclear at AtkinsRéalis. "This new capability gives nuclear and engineering experts a completely different way to engage with information. Teams can better visualise challenges and work through solutions together before activities begin on site. What's particularly innovative is the way we're bringing immersive technology and robotics together in one place. That's creating new opportunities to reduce risk, improve efficiency and help accelerate the delivery of decommissioning programmes."

Rav Chunilal, Head of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Sellafield Ltd, added: "What excites me most is not the technology itself, but the opportunity to fundamentally change how we tackle some of the most complex challenges in nuclear decommissioning. We've spent the last few years building capability across robotics, AI, digital twins and remote operations, and this is another important step on that journey. By allowing our people to explore, test and understand complex environments before work begins, we're creating a safer, smarter and more connected way of working."

Igloo Vision CEO Kerry Head said: "The RAICo1 facility demonstrates the real-world value of immersive technology in some of the most complex and safety-critical environments. By bringing data, robotics and 360-degree visualisation together in one shared space, teams can explore operational scenarios, understand challenges more clearly and make better-informed decisions before work begins on site. For Igloo Vision, this is exactly where immersive environments can make a meaningful difference, helping expert teams collaborate more effectively, reduce time spent in hazardous settings and support safer, more efficient delivery across nuclear decommissioning programmes."

The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo1) facility in Whitehaven, Cumbria, was launched in 2022 as the first network of robotics and artificial intelligence collaboration hubs across the UK. RAICo1 will ultimately be used by Sellafield Ltd, supply chain partners and academia to develop the technology needed to decommission nearby Sellafield and other sites like it. The facility is a joint initiative developed by Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority in collaboration with the UK Atomic Energy Authority, Manchester University and the National Nuclear Laboratory. Offering the ability to test technology in environments that mirror those on the Sellafield site, such as gloveboxes and water tanks, the facility removes some of the challenges associated with working on the nuclear site.