Immersive environment launched in West Cumbria to support nuclear decommissioning

AtkinsRéalis has recently supported Sellafield Ltd in establishing a new immersive environment at the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration facility (RAICo1) in West Cumbria, UK, to support the planning, rehearsal, and execution of nuclear decommissioning work. The project was developed in partnership between Sellafield Ltd and immersive technology company Igloo Vision.

The new Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo1) facility in West Cumbria (Image courtesy of Sellafield Ltd)

The 360-degree visualisation environment can accommodate up to 10 users and brings together remotely operated robotic systems, live data streams, and visual information within a single interactive space. Engineers, operators, and project teams can access digital versions of nuclear facilities and operational scenarios before work begins, allowing them to review operational routes in advance, assess confined area conditions, and make real-time assessments based on imagery transmitted from on-site robotic platforms.

The project partners anticipate that remote operation and monitoring using robotic technology and real-time data streams could reduce the time personnel spend in hazardous environments by up to 40%. The facility will also provide a dedicated collaborative space for multidisciplinary teams to test different operational approaches and respond quickly to emerging issues on site.

The immersive environment forms part of Sellafield Ltd's efforts to advance digital capabilities in nuclear decommissioning. The company plans to combine robotics, artificial intelligence, modelling capabilities, and advanced visualisation technologies to transform the way decommissioning projects are planned, rehearsed, and executed. The project also draws on the experience of AtkinsRéalis's Lava Lab network, as well as Sellafield Ltd's previous work in establishing an immersive facility at Hinton House in Cheshire.

During project delivery, AtkinsRéalis was responsible for bridging Igloo Vision's immersive platform with Sellafield Ltd's digital information and operational requirements, making it a tool suitable for planning, training, and decision-making. The project parties engaged in requirements discussions at an early stage to ensure the system could meet current decommissioning operational needs while also leaving room for future expansion and technological innovation.

Richard Brook, Head of Nuclear Digital Solutions at AtkinsRéalis, said that the dismantling of some of the UK's most complex nuclear facilities requires teams to make efficient decisions safely. The new facility provides nuclear and engineering experts with new ways of accessing information, helping teams to identify challenges more intuitively and develop solutions collaboratively before on-site work begins. He said that combining immersive technology with robotics offers new avenues for reducing risk, improving efficiency, and accelerating decommissioning project delivery.

Rav Chunilal, Head of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Sellafield Ltd, said the significance of the facility extends beyond the technology itself to changing how complex decommissioning tasks are organised. By enabling personnel to explore, test, and understand complex environments before work begins, project teams can develop safer, smarter, and more connected ways of working.

Kerry Head, Chief Executive Officer of Igloo Vision, said the RAICo1 facility demonstrates the value of immersive technology in complex safety-critical environments. By integrating data, robotics, and 360-degree visualisation into a shared space, teams can better understand task challenges and make more informed decisions before on-site work begins.

As the associated technologies continue to be deployed, the RAICo1 immersive environment will also be opened to industry, academia, and supply chain partners for the development, testing, and demonstration of innovative solutions in nuclear decommissioning and other high-risk environments.