Challenge to solve
Cleaning up toxic and hazardous waste is always a challenge, as it poses significant health risks for people conducting these projects. Traditional methods for these cleanups, such as hot cells and glovebox systems, heavily rely on manually operated technology which cannot be easily moved to task sites as needed. They also still require heavy human labour, putting workers at risk when disposing of this waste in confined spaces that are difficult to access.
Implementation of haptic gloves
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has assembled a robot that can be teleoperated by using the SenseGlove Nova haptic gloves. As hazardous waste and cleanup equipment is touch-sensitive, operators need to know how much pressure to apply when manipulating them. With the haptic feedback that the Nova provides, workers can feel the actual pressure of objects and machinery, letting them perform effective cleanups that are safe both for the equipment and for them.
The results
With teleoperated robotic arms, contaminated areas are easier and faster to clean. Especially in high-risk facilities, such as areas with radioactive waste, this haptic-enabled robot can assist operators with dangerous cleanups, prioritising the safety of humans by protecting them from risk exposure. Teleoperation through wearable haptics, such as the Nova gloves, opens a world of possibilities to ensure human safety and makes dangerous work easier to complete than ever before.
