In context
In mid-2025, the nuclear industry was increasingly turning to robotics and automation to improve safety and efficiency, particularly in hazardous decommissioning environments. This partnership extension underscored a growing trend of adapting commercial robotic technology for specialized nuclear applications.
What was reported
AtkinsRéalis, an engineering services and nuclear company, and Canadian robotic developer Kinova agreed to extend their global strategic partnership for an additional three years. The collaboration builds on the successful deployment of Kinova's robotic arm within the patented AtkinsRéalis Remote Glovebox Operation (ARGO) system, which has demonstration units in the UK, the US, and Canada.
Notably, the ARGO system was recently used in a world-first deployment at the Sellafield site in the UK, retrofitting a nuclear glovebox with a robotic arm in a successful demonstrator project. This proved the viability of using the technology at scale across nuclear decommissioning sites.
The next phase will focus on refining and expanding the technology for global use, including employing Kinova's Gen3 robotic arm for remote glovebox operations and decommissioning at selected nuclear licensed sites. Plans also include developing additional tools and functionalities to handle a wider range of hazardous materials remotely.
“Robotic and automation technology is already improving safety and speed of delivery in the nuclear sector but the full extent of its potential is still to be realized.” — Christian Pilon, head of nuclear robotics at AtkinsRéalis
Why it mattered
This partnership highlighted how proven commercial robotics can be adapted to meet the stringent safety and performance demands of nuclear environments, potentially accelerating the adoption of automation in other high-risk industrial sectors.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-07-28 · “AtkinsRéalis and Kinova extend strategic partnership in nuclear robotics”