Dexter

Project Dexter was launched to find a solution to the problems that face ITER, an international experimental fusion reactor. This reactor contains highly radiant and toxic materials like tritium and beryllium, but still needs to be cleaned from within to keep the systems running. While an exposure to these levels of radiation would be impossible to handle for human “cleaners,” robotic cleaners can fit right in. 

The kind of technology needed is called “remote handling,” seeing as that the robot in question is being controlled from a distance by a person. This so-called master-slave connection between the robot and the controller has to be made as transparent as possible for it to function as well as possible. Minor errors in movement or force can cause critical problems for the reactor and with that can endanger a lot of people.

The aim of project Dexter is to develop that next generation master-slave telemanipulator that will allow people to control the cleaning robot to perfection and precision.