The tragedy of 2011 will have long-lasting effects on the Japanese economy, as the consequences of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident will take decades to undo. The Japanese authorities and owners of notorious power plants are committed to actively using robots with artificial intelligence systems to eliminate the consequences of accidents.
Image source: U.S. Department of Energy
according to Nikkei Asian Reviewa special alliance will be formed this year to promote solutions to this issue. Academic institutions, robot manufacturers and artificial intelligence developers will join forces to find applications for “physical artificial intelligence” after a nuclear disaster. The most difficult task will be removing 880 tons of radioactive waste from the plant’s three reactors. Debris removal from the third reactor will begin in fiscal year 2037, and if all goes according to plan, the entire waste removal process at the nuclear power plant site will continue until 2051.
The first phase of work includes a thorough inspection of the interior of the destroyed reactor and the removal of obstructions that could interfere with the further installation of equipment to remove radioactive waste. High levels of radiation do not allow people to participate in these functions, so Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the nuclear power plant, wants partners to help organize the use of robots in this area. The latter will be divided by specialization: if some people will be entrusted with monitoring the situation on many parameters, then others will have to have skills in analyzing structures.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is budgeting about $2.5 billion in targeted subsidies for the next fiscal year starting April 1. The funds will be allocated to companies conducting research in areas of artificial intelligence that are applicable to solving core problems. Robots are already being used to inspect the interior of the third reactor at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. The robot’s functionality is continuously improved through a learning process.
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