Pit Viper, nuclear warehouse cleaner

2001/09/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Robotika
• Energia

Scientists from the U.S. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have invented a robot to clean the warehouses used to store radioactive waste. It has a hydraulic manipulator arm capable of lifting 80 kilos. Several tools can be added to the arm, so it is able to perform all cleaning operations.

It is controlled by a contour at 60 meters of trailer and the operators do not have to approach the warehouse as they can see the movements of the robot on television screens. At present, cleaners are in charge of this work and have a high risk of contamination by nuclear radiation.