Virtual training made accessible for nuclear decommissioning

As robots are increasingly deployed for remote handling in hazardous environments – such as hot cells and gloveboxes – operators need training on how to use them safely and efficiently. Simulations of these environments are a popular way to train robot operators at scale, without risk, and without taking real systems out of operation. 

Building training programmes for these simulators tends to happen case-by-case. This is complex and time-consuming, and requires digital and software expertise. To make training development easier, RAICo has developed a software framework that enables operators to create customised simulator-based training programmes in hours, without any coding expertise. 

How the platform enables simulated training without coding

A typical simulated training module could involve the user learning to control a virtual robot arm to pick up a waste item, sort it by type, then place it in a posting tray for removal from the cell. 

The design of such training starts with loading up the simulated environment, for example the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) simulator that was developed to train Sellafield operators on a robot which sorts radioactive cladding, or the simulation used in the NRS Oldbury Fuel Element Debris (FED) sorting project. 

The operator then creates bespoke setups within that simulated environment to mirror real use cases, for example by adding a sample or a posting tray, by dragging and dropping these from a library of virtual objects. 

To establish a training task – such as correctly placing a sample in the posting tray – they select virtual objects (the robot arm, the sample, the posting tray) and set conditions for each using a simple interface.  

Once set up, the person being trained can work through these multiple practice tasks in the simulator, while the platform provides interactive guidance to support learning and familiarity. It also collects metrics to benchmark training success and support targeted improvements to the training.  

Faster virtual training for operators of robots

“Basic familiarisation training can be set up very quickly,” says James Boock, project lead at RAICo. “More complex task training like unscrewing a bolt may take additional time to create, depending on the amount of fine-tuning needed to reach the desired level of accuracy.” 

“That is far quicker than simulator training setups take today in the nuclear sector. Before this, software experts needed to build training programmes one by one, and be brought back in for development every time the training needs changing. Now end users can design training themselves, and upgrade iteratively as they learn more about training needs, all without any software expertise.”  

The software framework is being implemented into Sellafield’s MSSS simulator and UKAEA’s Materials Research Facility receipt cell simulator (both pictured). Early work has also begun on integrating it into NRS Oldbury’s FED sorting simulator and the Quadruped Familiarisation Tool , which is being used by several RAICo members.  

Idris Hussain, robotics equipment programme lead at Sellafield, said: “We’ve invested in the MSSS simulator because effective training is fundamental to safe operations. This is particularly important when using complex and costly remote handling robotics, where operator competence and confidence are critical. By developing our own training scenarios through the RAICo collaboration, we can respond quickly to emerging needs and maximise the value of the simulator.” 

“As retrieval operations ramp up across Sellafield, remote handling and robotic systems will play an increasingly important role in delivering our mission safely and at pace. We’re continually seeking innovative ways to improve performance, and the ability to rapidly develop high-quality training as our knowledge and experience grows is a huge advantage.” 

Simulators promise to play a key role in enabling the widespread use of robotics in decommissioning, by training operators at scale without taking real systems out of service. The ability to quickly set up and update simulator training programmes brings this promise closer. 

raico.org