Robotics is reshaping nuclear decommissioning, with robot dogs now improving safety, data quality, and delivery outcomes.
Innovation remains central to the UK’s nuclear mission, and Sellafield Ltd continues to demonstrate how digital construction technologies can be applied in highly regulated, high-risk environments. As one of the most complex nuclear sites in the world, Sellafield presents significant challenges related to access, safety, and long-term decommissioning planning.
To address these challenges, Sellafield Ltd has introduced quadrupedal, four-legged robotic platforms into its decommissioning programme. These robot dogs are supporting inspection, monitoring, and data capture activities while reducing the need for human entry into hazardous environments. Their deployment reflects wider trends in digital construction, including robotics, remote operations, and data-led decision-making.
The decommissioning challenge in hazardous environments
Many areas across the Sellafield site are difficult or unsafe for routine human access due to radiological, industrial, or confined-space risks. As decommissioning progresses, the need for accurate, repeatable inspections increases, particularly to inform sequencing, waste strategies, and safety cases.
Manual inspections can expose workers to unnecessary hazards and are often constrained by time limits, protective equipment requirements, and access controls. These limitations can affect data quality and slow decision-making. For a site of Sellafield’s scale, improving inspection capability is essential to achieving safer and more efficient nuclear clean-up.
Why quadrupedal robots offer a practical solution
Four-legged robots provide a solution well aligned with the needs of nuclear decommissioning and digital construction workflows. Their mobility allows them to navigate staircases, uneven surfaces, and constrained layouts commonly found in legacy nuclear facilities.
At Sellafield, these robots are being used for routine inspection tasks including mapping, environmental monitoring, and asset characterisation. They can operate remotely, remain in hazardous areas for extended periods, and carry advanced sensing payloads. This approach reduces human exposure while increasing inspection frequency and consistency.
Key capabilities include remote inspection of restricted areas, 3D scanning, live data streaming, and repeatable inspection routes. These functions support safer operations and provide more reliable information for engineering and operational teams.
The technology behind Spot the Robot Dog
The most prominent quadrupedal platform deployed at Sellafield is a customised version of Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot. Adapted specifically for nuclear environments, Spot is equipped with radiation-resistant sensing systems and enhanced data-collection payloads.
Its sensor suite supports 360-degree imaging, LiDAR scanning, photographic and video capture, gamma and alpha characterisation, swabbing, and environmental monitoring. Secure remote operation enables teams to access live data from any location, supporting collaborative decision-making across disciplines.
This combination of mobility, sensing, and digital connectivity makes Spot a valuable asset within a modern digital construction and decommissioning strategy.
Benefits for safety, efficiency, and decision-making
The use of robot dogs at Sellafield delivers measurable benefits across multiple areas. Safety is improved as fewer nuclear operators are required to enter hazardous zones. Robots can operate fully remotely, reducing radiological exposure and industrial risk.
Decommissioning activities can also be accelerated. Robots are not constrained by shift durations or protective equipment limitations, allowing longer inspection periods and faster data collection. This contributes to improved planning and sequencing.
There are additional sustainability benefits, including reduced use and disposal of personal protective equipment. High-quality, real-time data supports better-informed decisions, while consistent repeat inspections improve trend analysis and assurance.
Collaboration across the digital construction ecosystem
The successful deployment of quadrupedal robots at Sellafield is the result of extensive collaboration across industry, research, and the supply chain. Boston Dynamics provides the core robotic platform, while Createc has customised Spot for nuclear applications, integrating advanced perception and radiation-measurement technologies.
AtkinsRéalis contributes systems integration expertise, supporting mission planning, digital workflows, and assurance processes. RAICo 1, the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration, has played a critical role in research, testing, and proof-of-concept development, bridging innovation and operational use.
Within Sellafield Ltd, the Specialist Equipment Services team has coordinated deployments, training, and the transition from first-of-a-kind trials to scalable operations across the wider Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate.
Progress and industry firsts
Over more than two years, Sellafield Ltd has progressed from early trials to active deployment. Initial trials in 2021 demonstrated safe operation within nuclear facilities. Subsequent demonstrations proved feasibility in complex layouts and active environments.
In 2023/24, a customised Spot robot was deployed in a highly radiological C5 area, completing routine inspections traditionally requiring full protective equipment. In 2025, an industry first was achieved when Spot was remotely operated from outside the nuclear-licensed site, demonstrating secure, live-streamed teleoperation.
The future of robotics in nuclear decommissioning
Sellafield Ltd is now embedding quadrupedal robots into business-as-usual operations, supporting an NDA-wide roadmap for robotic platforms. Future work includes deeper integration with digital twins, 3D visualisation tools, and plant information systems.
New payloads will extend robotic capability into wider decommissioning tasks, while secure remote operation and cyber security will remain priorities. Over the coming years, these technologies will become a core component of safer, data-driven nuclear decommissioning.
Robot dogs at Sellafield demonstrate how digital construction, robotics, and collaboration can deliver safer decommissioning, improved data quality, and scalable innovation across the UK nuclear sector.
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