Spot the robotic dog is taking centre stage at Cumberland Council’s UKREiiF stand from today (Tuesday, 21 May).
It has become a regular feature at Sellafield and a great mascot for the range of robotic tools and innovations that are transforming the way we work.
It’s travelled with Cumberland Council to UKREiiF hosted in Leeds and you can meet it on their stand - H40.
The benefits of investing in Cumberland will be showcased at the three-day business conference (Tuesday 21 - Thursday 23 May). The showcase is set to attract 12,000 delegates and more than 1,500 potential investors.
UKREiiF connects people, places and businesses to accelerate and unlock sustainable, inclusive and transformational investment.
The annual event brings together the public sector - with every core UK city and region involved - alongside government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders and more.
Cumberland Council is attending the business event for the second time and aims to promote the area, its investment opportunities and development plans.
Rav Chunilal, Head of Robotics & Artificial Intelligence, Sellafield said:
“It’s not all photo opportunities and test trials - Spot has some serious work to do in cleaning up the Sellafield site and helping operators to stay out of harm’s way.
“These robot canines have recently been deployed into a radioactive area at Sellafield for the first time, and it proved it was certainly up to the task. They have since been deployed at other nuclear sites across the UK and sharing the learning.
“Engineers said the mechanical hound, Spot, reduced the need for humans to enter areas "difficult to decommission and work in."
“They are able to produce three-dimensional scans from inside hazardous buildings, some filled with asbestos.”
The Sellafield site ceased production of nuclear power in 2003 and is being cleaned up.
These robots, which are developed at or R&D facility in Whitehaven, RAICo1, and adapted by the Engineering Centre of Excellence in Cleator Moor, use a light detection and ranging laser scanning (LiDAR) system.
They are then able to create a 3D moveable image of its environment, allowing engineers to carry out inspections and create future clean-up plans.
These quadrupeds were the "first in the world" to use the technology in a high radiation environment and our teams of innovative engineers will continue to obtain new technologies to improve the safe delivery of the UK’s nuclear decommissioning mission.
The nuclear coast and other investor opportunities will be showcased by Cumberland Council delegates.
They will also be hosting a showcase on Wednesday, 22 May between 11am and 12pm, on the SCAPE Public Sector Stage in the Royal Armouries.
Themed on ‘We are Cumberland - developing an Economic Strategy to drive place-based growth’. The session will look at the distinctiveness and characteristics of the area and explore the opportunities within Cumberland. It will be Chaired by Darren Crossley - Director of Place, Sustainable Growth and Transport (Cumberland Council).
He will be joined by the Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, Jane Meek - Assistant Director Thriving Place & Investment (Cumberland Council) Rhianydd Griffith - Director (Grantham Research Institute on Climate and the Environment) and Bill Graham - Director of Properties (BEC)
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said
“I am delighted that our area and development opportunities will be showcased at a leading national event. Cumberland Council wants to do all we can to support local businesses in our area and events of this type showcase the region to potential investors and puts the spotlight on Cumberland.
Leading business representatives from the Cumberland area will be joining the council at their ‘#WeAreCumberland’ H40 stand - situated in the Royal Armouries Hall.
Attendees include Rhianydd Griffith, Grantham Research Institute on Climate and the Environment, Gillian Elliott, Stakeholder Lead, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), James Nicholson, MD Harlex Property and Bill Graham, Director of Property, BEC.
They will show what the Cumberland area has a lot to offer and that it is an ideal location for businesses of all types. It inspires pride of place and is home to some of the world’s most stunning rural and coastal landscapes.
The Cumberland area’s economy contains strong agricultural and tourism sectors, but also has a manufacturing economy that boasts some of the most famous brands in the world. It also hosts the largest nuclear site in Europe.
It is one of the best places to visit, boasting two world heritage sites, an area of outstanding natural beauty and world class attractions that draw in millions of visitors.
Find out more at the Cumberland Council website.