To cut costs and boost safety, the Office of Nuclear Energy is mulling the idea of using artificial intelligence-powered drones in nuclear power plants, the agency said in a Nov. 2 release.
What once sounded like science fiction could very well be the reality of the future, as companies are looking into using self-navigating drones to perform potentially hazardous tasks.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory developed a new cost-effective method, the agency said, which involves drones with cameras capable of working around a nuclear plant. The drones would be equipped with Route Operable Unmanned Navigation of Drones (ROUNDS) software designed for the drone to perform tasks at power plants or factories.
The ROUNDS method is designed to lower costs and reduce the risk of injuries while being efficient, the agency said. It is an R&D 100
"Companies are constantly searching for more efficient and affordable options to perform routine and hazardous tasks in an industrial environment," the Office of Nuclear Energy said. "Self-navigating drones could be the solution, but configuring them to maneuver indoor spaces without a strong GPS signal can be expensive."
The agency said that the ROUNDS software is installed on a regular computer and then communicates wirelessly with the drone. Machine learning algorithms and AI are used, as well as QR codes placed around the facility.
"Each code directs the drone to perform specific tasks, such as reading a gauge and collecting data," the release states. "The information is fed back to the controller as the drone moves to the next QR code until all assignments are complete and returns to its charging pad."
The agency added that ROUNDS is a good option because while a standard drone cannot maneuver in close places, ROUNDS allows the drone to navigate in tight spaces quickly.
"ROUNDS could potentially be used to perform security rounds, check warehouse inventory, or perform other tedious tasks within a facility," the Office of Nuclear Energy said.
