Following a safety review of the IZOS facility, dedicated to the storage of nuclear waste drums in casemates on the Marcoule site, CEA commissioned Onet Technologies to design a fire-fighting robot (APS studies). The robot is designed to enhance the safety of this facility against the risk of fire.

To date, no fire-fighting robot on the market meets all the functions defined by the CEA as part of this study. All Onet Technologies' expertise in the development of specialized tools and machines has been mobilized for this innovative project.

The aim of this robot will be to intervene rapidly in an irradiating and contaminating environment to extinguish fires, particularly in a context of so-called heavy smoke.

Conclusive camera tests

At the end of January 2023, tests were organized at the SOGEVAL ICPE in Pierrelatte, to validate the camera system selected.

During the tests, the Force Locale de Sécurité (FLS), CEA's internal security service, and the CEA Marcoule project team were able to observe the effectiveness of the proposed technology, which enables the environment to be viewed despite black smoke causing total darkness.

The success of these trials has enabled us to consolidate our technical orientations and to continue advancing the project, in particular by drawing up specifications.

This robot will be the first to use this technology, making it easier to deploy and operate in difficult environments.

Once the design and manufacturing phase is complete, this robot will be able to meet other FLS needs at other facilities.