Defence and Environmental Collaboration
A £2 million initiative funded by the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is developing a suite of robotic tools to replace humans in dangerous chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threat scenarios. This “golf bag of robotics” combines expertise from Oxford Dynamics, Createc, Autonomous Devices, and the University of Bristol. Defra plans to deploy these tools for environmental remediation and recovery operations, while the project is expected to create over 100 specialist jobs[12][13].
Strider: The AI-Powered Tracked Machine
Oxford Dynamics has developed Strider, an autonomous robot equipped with advanced AI for hazardous environment assessment. Its capabilities include:
- Object detection for identifying critical targets
- Surface quality analysis using multispectral imaging
- Weight estimation algorithms for optimized sample collection
The system prioritizes safety through redundant sensor arrays and fail-safe protocols[9][12].
Multi-Directional Contamination Drone
Autonomous Devices’ drone features swappable payload systems capable of:
- Airborne contamination detection via laser spectroscopy
- Decontamination spray application with millimeter precision
- Vertical takeoff/landing for window-level access
The compact design enables operation in confined spaces unsuitable for human crews[12][13].
Createc’s Modular Robot Fleet
Createc’s unified control system manages a robotic ecosystem including:
- Quadruped inspection robots with torque-controlled joints
- All-terrain UGVs featuring screw-drive propulsion
- Long-endurance UAVs carrying 5kg payloads
The system uses
machine learning to optimize team coordination based on real-time threat assessments[11][12].
Bristol University’s Decontamination System
The University of Bristol’s solution combines:
- A robotic arm with 7 degrees of freedom
- Tethered drone for high-reach spraying
- Neutralizing foam delivery system
