CERN launches an innovative robotic solution Four CERN robotsaiming to Navigate chaotic and dangerous environmentsespecially within the lab’s complex facilities; the quadruped robot recently successfully conducted radiation protection tests in CERN’s vast North Zone, demonstrating its adaptability and agility in challenging terrain.
Developed within Building 937, the CERNquadbot stands out among CERN’s advanced robots with its innovative quadruped design that provides unparalleled stability and maneuverability on uneven surfaces.
Chris McGreavy, Robotics Engineer at CERNunderlining the importance of this advancement, highlighted the limitations wheeled robots face in environments with loose wires and moving pipes.
Together with its counterpart CERRNBotNA (North), Robodog carried out radiation protection surveys within CERN’s largest experimental area, marking a successful collaboration between the two robots. (Image source: M.Struik/CERN)
CERNquadbot’s versatility extends beyond stability—these robotic companions are equipped with advanced control algorithms capable of navigating complex environments, including caves for experiments like the ALICE detector. Their ability to monitor environmental conditions and detect anomalies, such as water or fire leaks, is critical to keeping machines running in tunnels and caves.
CERN’s approach involves creating an ecosystem of complementary robots, each with a specific purpose. The Train Inspection Monorail (TIM) excels at monitoring long distances within the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from above, while the CERNquadbot explores uncharted territory on the ground below the beamline. This symbiotic relationship enhances the overall exploration capabilities of CERN’s robotic fleet.
As researchers continue to push the boundaries of robotics, the future holds great promise for further advancement of exploration and discovery within CERN’s unique infrastructure. CERNquadbot is expected to revolutionize the way robots navigate and interact in the complex environment of CERN, expanding the horizons of particle physics exploration.
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