Robotics firms showcase inspection technologies

Pioneering robotics organisations – working with Rolls-Royce SMR to help shape the future of autonomous inspection – have been showcasing their technologies.

Demonstration days, delivered with support from Innovate UK Business Connect through its Innovation Exchange (iX) programme, brought together small and medium-sized enterprises and academia to showcase their cutting-edge solutions.

Greg Wilkinson, Rolls-Royce SMR’s senior research and technology manager, said: “Innovation and collaboration are central to how we are developing our ‘factory-built’ nuclear power plant, and the iX Challenge has brought together some of the most promising robotics technologies.

“The programme has helped identify solutions that could play an important role in future automated inspection activities across the Rolls-Royce SMR fleet.”

Following the demonstrations, Rolls-Royce SMR will continue its evaluation process, with a further update on the next phase of the challenge expected in the coming months.

The winner could form part of Rolls-Royce SMR’s future automated inspection approach, supporting helping transform the way new nuclear power stations are delivered.

Earlier this year, Rolls-Royce SMR signed a contract with Great British Energy – Nuclear to begin work delivering the UK’s first small modular reactors (SMRs) on Anglesey, North Wales.