Lancaster partners in new national nuclear robotics research hubs

New national hubs that are pioneering research into robotics for nuclear environments will benefit from Lancaster University expertise. Lancaster is partner in two of four research hubs recently announced as part of a £44.5 million investment, over three and half years, managed by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The hubs will develop robotic solutions to enable safer working environments in the areas of off-shore energy, nuclear energy and space, opening up new cross disciplinary opportunities which are not currently available. The award is part of £68 million awarded from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF) to support research and innovation projects in robotics and artificial intelligent systems. Professor James Taylor and Dr Allahyar Montazeri , from Lancaster University's Engineering Department , will work as part of the 'National Centre for Nuclear Robotics' (NCNR), which is led by the University of Birmingham. Professor Taylor and Dr Montazeri will develop new control systems and adaptive algorithms for robots working on complex tasks in extreme environments - such as waste handling, cutting, navigation and other manoeuvres related to decommissioning radioactive sites. In addition, their work will also include the development of devices incorporating these technologies.