28 Apr 2026
Oxford Robotics Institute and AtkinsRéalis to scale up autonomous robotics systems in new partnership
The new global partnership will accelerate the adoption of autonomous robotic systems for the nuclear and energy sectors on an international scale
Matt Harrison, Patrick Geragersian, David Marquez-Gamez, Nathan Wong, Christian Pilon and Chris Prahacs (L-R) during a visit to the ORI
Through the partnership with AtkinsRéalis – a world-class engineering and nuclear company – advanced autonomous robotic solutions will be developed and tested, supporting the emerging field of physical AI, where intelligent systems are deployed safely and reliably in real‑world, safety‑critical environments.
The collaboration builds on a successful period of joint work in the UK, where ORI systems have been integrated into AtkinsRéalis robotics platforms for autonomous navigation, advanced mapping, and hotspot detection at nuclear sites including Sellafield and Sizewell A. The new partnership expands this work internationally, focusing on improving safety by reducing the time people need to spend in hazardous environments while enhancing operational efficiency.
The initial phase will focus on scaling proven UK deployments, including autonomous mobile inspection platforms and robotic manipulation systems. Solutions will be tested and refined within ORI’s state-of-the-art robotics facilities before transitioning into deployable systems through AtkinsRéalis’ nuclear engineering expertise.
Yuhao Zhang gives an overview of robotic autonomous systems being tested at the ORI
This approach reflects the growing adoption of physical AI, where robots can be built and trained to seamlessly interact with and adapt to their surroundings in the real world. Through this partnership, autonomous systems will be developed through tightly coupled simulation, AI-enabled perception and decision-making, and real‑world validation. By linking academic research, advanced testing environments, and operational deployment, the partnership helps accelerate the safe adoption of autonomous robotics in safety‑critical nuclear environments.
Industrial collaboration is central to the research at ORI, and the Institute has a strong track record of integrating world-leading developments in perception, navigation, manipulation, inspection, and digital twin development, with real-world operations. The partnership enables ORI researchers to collaborate directly with AtkinsRéalis engineers, sharing world-class knowledge, and leverage specialised testing infrastructure to accelerate the validation and deployment of solutions designed to meet the safety and regulatory requirements of the nuclear sector.
Professor Nick Hawes, Director at the ORI, University of Oxford, said:
Our collaboration with AtkinsRéalis demonstrates how academic research translates into practical solutions for the nuclear sector. As part of the University of Oxford, ORI combines robotics research capabilities with the engineering focus needed to develop technologies that meet demanding operational requirements.
He continued, “This partnership allows us to advance autonomous inspection and digital technologies that address real challenges across the nuclear industry.”
Sam Stephens, Head of Digital – Nuclear at AtkinsRéalis, said: “Working directly with the Oxford Robotics Institute’s teams means we can test solutions in their facilities, refine them based on real nuclear challenges, and deploy them across our international operations. The result is safer working environments and better data to inform critical decisions on nuclear sites.”
