AWE joins RAICo

The Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) has announced the addition of AWE – a UK leader in nuclear technology and innovation – as its fifth member organisation. AWE joins the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Sellafield Ltd, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), and the University of Manchester in this integrated collaboration.

RAICo exists to deliver robotics and AI into nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering sectors to keep people safe, reduce costs, and accelerate missions through the deployment of these technologies. RAICo does this by combining academic research, industrial breakthroughs, and proven technologies to deliver solutions to real challenges. By uniting the UK’s leading robotics and AI experts with end users from across nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering, RAICo forms a single, integrated team focused on solving some of the most complex problems in these fields.

AWE strengthens RAICo’s capabilities with over 75 years of expertise in nuclear safety and security, as well as access to nuclear fission decommissioning sites. These sites, which will complement those already provided by NDA group sites, offer critical opportunities to test and validate RAICo-derived technologies without relying solely on simulated environments.

“RAICo’s ability to tackle end-user challenges in nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering requires access to nuclear decommissioning sites, identified and defined end user needs, and specialist expertise to develop the systems we deploy. AWE offers all three, complementing our existing RAICo members” .

“AWE’s involvement also strengthens the value RAICo delivers from public sector investment in nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering. By working as part of our closely integrated team, we can all achieve greater scale and faster progress—delivering better outcomes for people and industry far more efficiently than any of us could alone.”

Kirsty Hewitson, RAICo’s Director.

“I am thrilled that AWE is joining RAICo. It is a genuinely game-changing moment for the UK’s nuclear sector. There are so many benefits that this collaborative environment will bring including: access to and integration of cutting-edge robotics and AI technology and innovation across the defence and civil nuclear domains, and enabling greater access to expertise and resources across government agencies, industry and academia.

“This will drive professional development opportunities for our staff, accelerate our programmes in a cost-efficient partnership model, and ultimately bring wide socioeconomic impact, by enhancing the nation’s defence and energy security priorities.”

Giles Hartill – Chief Technologist, AWE.