Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RACICo
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of UKAEA
Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RAICo, said:
“This cluster represents a significant opportunity for synergy and innovation amongst Cumbria’s robotics experts and industries. Through this collaborative effort, we are set to map out and expand the capabilities of robotics in the region, driving forward our joint goals of technological advancement and capacity building.”
“The supply chain is absolutely crucial to RAICo’s success and that broader success across both Sellafield, the wider NDA estate but also the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
“They (the supply chain) absolutely possess those unique skill sets, technologies that they have developed over many years which we should be tapping into and harnessing and working collaboratively with them.
“It was great to see a number of those large and small companies come to the event and join in the discussions taking place across the room.”
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of UKAEA said:
“I also consider aggregate risk in conversations like this. The biggest risk for the nuclear sector is that it will cease to exist. Just go back to the Industrial Revolution, or the internet, those (businesses) who decided not to engage, those companies do not exist.”
Engaging with supply chain companies was also highlighted as vital for industries to fully embrace robotics and AI.
The Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) announced the launch of the Cumbria Robotics Cluster at the event. This cluster brings together organisations with a shared vision to elevate Cumbria as a globally recognised centre of excellence in the field of robotics engineering.
RAICo is a founding member of the cluster which is set to play a crucial role in developing advanced robotics technologies and skills that address industrial challenges, particularly in the nuclear industry and other challenging environments.
During a panel session in which keynote speakers were asked their views on risk, UKAEA CEO, Ian Chapman highlighted that, while safety of operations was paramount, it was also important to consider the risk of industry and businesses failing to adopt technologies which help them achieve some tasks safer, faster and more cost effectively.
The Harnessing Robotics and AI for Challenging Environments (HRAICE) event was held at Energus, Workington, Cumbria, on the 21st May, with almost 300 attendees and 22 exhibitors. The purpose of HRAICE was to highlight opportunities to speed up deployment of technology in challenging environments. The event showcased the robotics and AI capability of Cumbria through a series of inspiring exhibits, keynote talks and focused workshops.
Attendees heard how embracing robotics and AI can help meet the two global challenges of climate change and energy security. Delegates heard how RAICo, a collaboration between UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd and the University of Manchester, is aiding collaboration and bringing the greatest minds together – including end-users, problem-holders and researchers – to find solutions to shared nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering challenges.
The deployment of robotics and AI was described as being key to accelerating nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering in a way which delivers missions safer, faster and more cost effectively.
Keynote speakers, including Ian Chapman, UKAEA CEO; Mr David Peattie, NDA CEO; Mr Roddy Miller, Nuclear Operations Director at Sellafield Ltd, and Francis Livens, Professor of Radiochemistry at The University of Manchester, shared with delegates their visions for the safe deployment of the latest technologies.
NDA CEO, David Peattie said:
“I’m passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration across the NDA group, the wider sector, academia and the supply chain and particularly inspiring young people to engage in the work we are doing and develop innovative solutions.
“We are proud to be part of RAICo and committed to exploring how we can utilise technology and innovation to create a safer working environment for our employees, deliver more effectively and efficiently, to leave a more sustainable legacy for generations to come.”
Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RACICo
Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RAICo, said:
“This cluster represents a significant opportunity for synergy and innovation amongst Cumbria’s robotics experts and industries. Through this collaborative effort, we are set to map out and expand the capabilities of robotics in the region, driving forward our joint goals of technological advancement and capacity building.”
“The supply chain is absolutely crucial to RAICo’s success and that broader success across both Sellafield, the wider NDA estate but also the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
“They (the supply chain) absolutely possess those unique skill sets, technologies that they have developed over many years which we should be tapping into and harnessing and working collaboratively with them.
“It was great to see a number of those large and small companies come to the event and join in the discussions taking place across the room.”
RAICo is a founding member of the cluster which is set to play a crucial role in developing advanced robotics technologies and skills that address industrial challenges, particularly in the nuclear industry and other challenging environments.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of UKAEA
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, CEO of UKAEA said:
“I also consider aggregate risk in conversations like this. The biggest risk for the nuclear sector is that it will cease to exist. Just go back to the Industrial Revolution, or the internet, those (businesses) who decided not to engage, those companies do not exist.”
Engaging with supply chain companies was also highlighted as vital for industries to fully embrace robotics and AI.
The Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) announced the launch of the Cumbria Robotics Cluster at the event. This cluster brings together organisations with a shared vision to elevate Cumbria as a globally recognised centre of excellence in the field of robotics engineering.
During a panel session in which keynote speakers were asked their views on risk, UKAEA CEO, Ian Chapman highlighted that, while safety of operations was paramount, it was also important to consider the risk of industry and businesses failing to adopt technologies which help them achieve some tasks safer, faster and more cost effectively.
The Harnessing Robotics and AI for Challenging Environments (HRAICE) event was held at Energus, Workington, Cumbria, on the 21st May, with almost 300 attendees and 22 exhibitors. The purpose of HRAICE was to highlight opportunities to speed up deployment of technology in challenging environments. The event showcased the robotics and AI capability of Cumbria through a series of inspiring exhibits, keynote talks and focused workshops.
Attendees heard how embracing robotics and AI can help meet the two global challenges of climate change and energy security. Delegates heard how RAICo, a collaboration between UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd and the University of Manchester, is aiding collaboration and bringing the greatest minds together – including end-users, problem-holders and researchers – to find solutions to shared nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering challenges.
The deployment of robotics and AI was described as being key to accelerating nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering in a way which delivers missions safer, faster and more cost effectively.
Keynote speakers, including Ian Chapman, UKAEA CEO; Mr David Peattie, NDA CEO; Mr Roddy Miller, Nuclear Operations Director at Sellafield Ltd, and Francis Livens, Professor of Radiochemistry at The University of Manchester, shared with delegates their visions for the safe deployment of the latest technologies.
NDA CEO, David Peattie said:
“I’m passionate about creating opportunities for collaboration across the NDA group, the wider sector, academia and the supply chain and particularly inspiring young people to engage in the work we are doing and develop innovative solutions.
“We are proud to be part of RAICo and committed to exploring how we can utilise technology and innovation to create a safer working environment for our employees, deliver more effectively and efficiently, to leave a more sustainable legacy for generations to come.”
