Robot-Assisted Nuclear Disaster Response: determinants of performance

Abstract

Following the major nuclear accidents of Chernobyl and Fukushima, robotic accident intervention groups were set up around the world in order to be able to intervene in restrictive situations in terms of contamination and irradiation with robots instead of humans. Few studies have focused on identifying the determinants that make such teams effective in accident situations. After an overview of the state of the art on the subject, this article offers a comparative analysis of robotic intervention contexts on simulated situations and a real operational situation. The results make it possible to complete the list of performance determinants and highlight the difference between the determinants associated with a simulated situation and those associated with a real situation. Since their creation, robotic accident response groups have not been confronted with a major nuclear accident. Therefore, this study is of real added value for these groups so that they can identify potential areas for improvement and implement the necessary actions if need be.