Get the latest tech news

Drones used to inspect areas underground for safety


Scientists at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant began using aerial drones to scope out areas of the underground nuclear waste repository to ensure they are safe before sending workers in. The drone technology was proposed by Sandia and Los Alamos national laboratories in a joint effort to improve safety in the underground.

Mark Bollinger, manager of the Department of Energy’s Carlsbad Field Office (CBFO) said the technology can help with future decision-making at WIPP as more areas are mined and access for nuclear waste disposal. “This type of research shows how technology can support how we deliver on our commitment to ensuring a secure and safe environment for all who work in the WIPP underground,” Bollinger said. But to clean up the nation’s nuclear waste, a 2022 Government Accountability Office report argued WIPP would need to add of nine more panels after the eight are filled by an estimated date in 2025.

Get the Android app

Or read this on r/technology

Read more on:

Photo of Drones

Drones

Photo of safety

safety

Photo of areas

areas

Related news:

News photo

DJI further diversifies from drones with the Avinox e-bike drive system

News photo

AI safety and research company Anthropic calls for proposals to evaluate advanced models

News photo

US Army explains why it's outsourcing AI development, safety to private sector