Leeds-based COVVI and Atkins to develop robotic bionic hand for nuclear sector

Group, to develop a robotic hand, or ‘end effector’, which will enable workers to perform dangerous jobs remotely.

Established in 2017, by group CEO Simon Pollard, Leeds-based COVVI designs and manufactures a bionic hand for patients who have had their hand amputated or were born with congenital upper limb deficiencies.

A spokesman said: “The innovative product will be integrated into

Atkins’ collaborative robotic solutions in the nuclear sector, including its use in glovebox operations to handle nuclear materials and waste, removing the need for operators to place hands in gloveboxes.

“The remote control of robotics will reduce the presence of humans in hazardous areas and enable glovebox operations to continue over longer periods of time, reducing risk and speeding up project delivery, as well as freeing up time for site operators to focus on other high priority, skilled activity.”

Sam Stephens, Head of Digital, Nuclear at SNC-Lavalin, said: “Robotics hold huge potential for the nuclear sector and we expect their use to become increasingly common over the coming decade as the industry seeks to improve safety, increase efficiency and address increasing skills shortages.

“Working with COVVI to reconfigure their bionic hand for teleoperation combines our knowledge of nuclear, digital and robotics capabilities with COVVI’s expertise and world-leading prosthetics.

"It’s an example of how collaboration is crucial to help accelerate innovation and bring forward new solutions that address some of the sector’s biggest challenges swiftly and cost-effectively.

"The new robotic hand has the potential to reduce risk and improve productivity for the nuclear operators that we work with in partnership with around the world, and we look forward to seeing it deliver results soon.”

Mr Pollard said; “We are delighted to have finalised this partnership and share our plans to expand into the robotics market.

“The robotics market continues to develop at pace as it becomes more affordable, scalable, and customisable. With over five years experience of developing our own world-leading, multi-articulated bionic hand, COVVI was Atkins’ preferred choice to partner with to introduce this state-of-the-art technology to the nuclear sector.

"We are excited about the opportunity to develop and implement innovative solutions to create safer, more efficient processes in hazardous environments intrinsic to the nuclear industry.”

The two firms have been working together for six months to develop the integration between the robotic hand and collaborative robots that Atkins uses to work in gloveboxes.

The statement added: “ Having collaborated on research and development over the course of 2022, COVVI and Atkins will now

jointly develop and market a new variant of the COVVI hand, to meet the requirements of the nuclear sector.”