Cern has sent a tiny robot through the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to inspect parts that are out of reach for humans. The robot, named PipeINEER, is a 3.7 cm wide machine that can travel up to six kilometers on battery power while capturing detailed images of each plug-in module (PIM). It uses an AI model trained to detect any abnormalities and can return to its starting point to report the exact location of the problem. This approach allows engineers to address specific points along the 27 km collider without having to disassemble sections of pipe and use a manual endoscope to inspect for defects. The robot was developed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and CERN, and it is not based on a Raspberry Pi module or something similar. Instead, it combines the UKAEA's remote handling experience with CERN's scientific excellence to ensure the LHC operates safely and efficiently for years to come. This is not the only robot being tasked with going where humans cannot. The famous Boston Dynamics robot dogs are set to help with the ongoing cleanup and decommissioning of the UK's Sellafield nuclear site.
