NDA Board immersed in a day of cutting edge RAICo technology during visit to UKAEA

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) recently hosted representatives from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Board at its Culham headquarters in Oxfordshire.

The event provided a live demonstration of how robotics and digital technologies can further transform the nuclear industry, making it safer, more efficient, and more sustainable. 

Attendees were introduced to a range of innovative technologies designed to improve how nuclear sites are maintained and decommissioned. 

Key highlights included: 

• Remote operation of RoBox: A next-generation robotic system that allows operators to safely handle hazardous materials from over 400 km away. Controlled in real-time from Culham, RoBox, based in RAICo1 in Whitehaven, demonstrated how future operators could manage multiple systems from one central location. 
  
  
• Digital innovation: Advanced tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Clarity platform (Hybird) showcased how digital infrastructure helps teams visualise and plan projects more effectively. 
  
  
• JET tile disassembly: A closer look at the technologies supporting the decommissioning of the UKAEA’S fusion machine – Joint European Torus (JET) including the opportunity to see how agile and easy to control the robotic devices were.

These innovations represent a major leap forward in the nuclear sector. The use of robotics and digital tools allow human workers allow workers to stay out of harm’s way while maintaining precise control over complex and potentially hazardous tasks. 

As nuclear decommissioning projects progress across the UK, these technologies will be critical to ensuring safety, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. 

Professor Melanie Brownridge, NDA Chief Research & Development Officer said: “At the heart of this collaboration is a shared passion for innovation and developing transformational solutions which enable us to deliver more efficiently for the wider fission and fusion sectors, our people and the environment.

“Beyond technology, this collaboration is also about generating skills to help us meet our future challenges. It was incredibly valuable for the Board to see our investment coming to life.

The collaboration between the NDA, Sellafield Ltd, UKAEA, The University of Manchester, through RAICo reflects a shared commitment to innovation.

By combining expertise and resources, these organisations are setting a global standard for safe and efficient nuclear decommissioning and accelerating deployment of robotics to deliver their mission.

Dr Kirsty Hewitson, Director of RAICo, explained why these developments are so important: “Our mission is to make nuclear decommissioning safer, faster, and smarter.

“Through robotics, AI, and cutting-edge digital tools, we’re transforming how hazardous environments are managed, protecting workers and the environment while driving innovation. The technologies we demonstrated today show just how far we’ve come—and the incredible potential for the future.”