OptiSort

Cavendish Nuclear is proposing a fully integrated and automated waste management system to be developed in collaboration with Bristol Robotics Laboratory, Structure Vision, AcroVision, Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, ImiTec, Clifton Photonics, Babcock International and the Advanced Nuclear Research Centre.

The "OptiSort" system integrates leading-edge technology in robotics, automation, 3D imaging, deep-learning, packing optimisation, radiometrics and material analysis, to deliver an autonomous waste sorting, segregation and packing system. From waste pile to consignment container the system will autonomously process and consign a waste item to the appropriate waste route, whilst making full use of the waste hierarchy and recycling opportunities.

This innovative solution will automate an otherwise time-consuming and human-intensive process, remove hazard exposure to operators, and realise effective and accurate, waste segregation; and will be cheaper, faster and safer than the baseline approach.

Cavendish Nuclear has first-hand knowledge of waste sorting and segregation, and is well-placed to provide the optimum solution and realise the commercial opportunities of the system and its components. Our multi-disciplinary team of SMEs and industry leaders offers extensive experience in design, delivery and commercialisation of waste assay systems, project management of complex innovation tasks, and wealth of knowledge in radiometric technologies.

The combined team is committed to providing an innovative, fit-for-purpose, solution to the Innovate UK challenge.