A low-cost robotic platform for radiation mapping has been developed by integrating a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) radiation detector with a repurposed smart vacuum robot. The equipped reliable dosimeter can effectively measure radiation levels while the smart vacuum provides mobility and operational capabilities, enabling autonomous navigation in areas with potentially harmful radiation, minimizing the risk to human health. The low cost and ease of use of this platform can greatly improve accessibility to robotics technology. Potential applications of this robotic platform extend across various sectors, including routine survey of radiation level at nuclear and medical facilities, and radiation mapping during emergency response.
Younger et al. (Thu,) studied this question.