Helping to Deliver Fusion Energy

- VNS and UKAEA RACE

Veolia Nuclear Solutions (VNS) are proud to announce Dexter has been accepted for the LongOps project led by UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) after successfully completing a range of complex testing following installation at UKAEA’s robotics centre, RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments).

Dexter is a remote/local manipulator that allows VNS to replicate the flexible, fine motor function of a human arm and the touch sensitivity of a human hand in an environment where humans simply can’t go.

The LONG-Term OPerations – LONG Reach Manipulators project

The LongOps project is led by UKAEA RACE and is jointly funded by UKRI (UK Research and Innovation), TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company) and the NDA (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority). 

The aim of the project is to assess a variety of ‘long reach’ robotics with the purpose to compare and contrast the machines to learn what the best way of doing remote operations is in a range of challenging environments.

The challenge in this area of remote ops is that there are very few companies who are experts. Veolia is one of them, so they're absolutely critical to the future.
UKAEA’s mission is fusion energy. We know that robotics is key in helping deliver fusion as well as supporting adjacent sectors such as decommissioning.
Rob Buckingham
Director of RACE

VNS and UKAEA RACE have had a long-term relationship with each other, and VNS would like to thank UKAEA for the opportunity to develop and build an advanced Dexter twin arm manipulator for the LongOps project at RACE.

VNS’s goal is, and always has been, to develop a highly advanced robotic technology that goes beyond our client's expectations.

Watch the video below to learn more about the ongoing project between VNS and UKAEA RACE:

If you have any enquiries about Dexter, please contact:

[email protected]