DOG-LIKE robots and drones could help form a new radiation-monitoring team in Chernobyl.
According to the New Scientist, the tech could provide a solution to Ukraine after Russian troops “destroyed and stole” radiation monitoring equipment when they invaded the Chernobyl disaster zone.
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Russian armed forces invaded the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone on February 24 this year.
This was the first day of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
After entering the site, gamma radiation monitoring sensors were reportedly switched off.
This meant that harmful levels of radiation could no longer be detected.
A nuclear reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded during a safety test in 1986.
The plant is still radioactive to this day and scientists have been carefully monitoring it and the surrounding area.
That was until Russian forces seized the plant.
Most radiation sensors have remained offline ever since.
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Scientists are now said to be working on a new sensor network that could keep detecting radiation levels at Chernobyl while the Ukraine war continues.
This network could include drones and robots with radiation sensors attached.
The tech could be controlled remotely and would need to be able to avoid the landmines in the area.
A headless dog-like Spot robot created by Boston Dynamics has already tested its gas and chemical detection skills at Chernobyl.
Spot was tested in Exclusion Zone conditions back in late 2020.
It was able to survey levels of radiation and create a 3D distribution map.
It’s hoped a similar system could be deployed soon and keep scientists informed about the important site.
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