In-Vessel Dexterous Manipulators & Technology Capability Scoping

This is an expression of interest (EOI)

The authority is investigating the feasibility of conducting remote operations within the STEP reactor core, focussing on dextrous manipulators and other enabling technologies. Currently the full extent of operations that will take place within the reactor have not been defined, but are likely to include visual inspection, metrology, sample and component lifting and manipulation, and handling bespoke tools.

The main objective of this PIN is to ascertain the limits and capability, as well as enable future tenders of current technology with regards to remote maintenance in a highly irradiated environment under the conditions detailed within this PIN. We are interested to know about any technology that can operate in at least one of the environmental conditions noted in the PIN.

The future project might entail carrying out short, bespoke pieces of work to establish the capability of relevant technology, as well as to produce quantitative parameters, to produce trials and reports to demonstrate these actions