Autonomous robots in radioactive environments: Vietnam mastering the technology

A robot developed by a team of Vietnamese scientists is capable of autonomous movement, equipped with a manipulator arm, able to measure radiation levels, and assist in technical operations in a nuclear environment.

BMW is investing in humanoid robots to assist its factory workers. The state will be the “first customer” for strategic technological products. Hospital automation: the silent revolution in care.

The autonomous robot was presented at the 3rd National Forum on the Development of the Digital Economy and Digital Society on December 20, 2025.

Application of the most recent technologies:

According to the Academy of Sciences and Technologies of Vietnam, scientists from the Institute of Physics (under the Academy) recently successfully completed the project “Research and Development of an intelligent autonomous robot using various sensor technologies and IoT platforms and AI, focused on applications for monitoring radioactive environments.”

Experts note that robots used in the nuclear field worldwide have been studied and deployed for quite some time, primarily for missions such as measuring radioactivity, on-site observation, or performing simple and repetitive tasks.

However, most of these systems still heavily rely on remote control and generally only perform isolated functions, limiting their effectiveness, especially in emergency situations or uncertain environments requiring autonomy, speed of response, and flexibility.

In the course of this project, the research team designed and developed an autonomous robotic system integrating a manipulator arm, synchronously equipped with various modern sensors such as LiDAR, 2D-3D cameras, an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), as well as radiation detectors. With a collaborative arm with 6 degrees of freedom and AI algorithms, this robot can not only move and take measurements but also assist in technical operations in a radioactive environment.

The uniqueness of this robotic system lies not only in its capability of movement or measurement but in the way the collected data is processed to simultaneously build a map of the space and a map of radiation distribution in real-time.

Based on SLAM algorithms, the robot can autonomously locate itself, “reconstruct” its working environment, and associate radiation information with each specific position on the map. This allows the operator to quickly identify highly radioactive areas, determine safe zones, and track environmental changes during robot operation.

This approach not only overcomes the limitations of previous research but also opens up a strong potential for practical applications in nuclear facilities, nuclear medicine, and radiological incident management.

Intervention in emergency situations:

Trials of the robot in units such as the Nuclear Research Institute in Da Lat, the Irradiation Center in Hanoi, and nuclear medicine facilities show that the system works stably, can build intuitive radiation maps, and can accurately locate itself in large and cluttered spaces.

According to Dr. Ngô Minh Tiến, project leader, the results obtained are just a first step, but they already open up many practical application prospects.

In nuclear power plants, nuclear laboratories, and research centers, autonomous robots equipped with manipulator arms can replace humans to perform inspection, surveillance, and handling tasks in radioactive areas, significantly reducing exposure to dangerous radiation such as alpha, beta, and gamma particles.

Furthermore, these robots can also map radiation, inspect, and delimit high radioactivity areas, contributing to the management, transport, and treatment of radioactive sources.

In emergency situations, the robotic system can intervene to isolate the source, assist in decontamination, or transport contaminated materials to safe areas, thereby helping to reduce risks for humans and the environment.

In the industrial and medical fields, the potential application of these robots is also very evident. They can participate in the installation and operation of radioactive sources used for industrial measurements, as well as in assisting in fractionating doses in radiology in modern imaging techniques such as SPECT or PET-CT, where high precision and radiological safety requirements are essential. In radiotherapy areas, robots can also support patients and medical staff in many tasks.

Mastering this technology at the national level not only reduces costs compared to imported systems but also strengthens the country’s scientific and technological autonomy.

However, according to the research team, these products are still at a preliminary stage. In the future, robotic systems will need further refinement to address the identified limitations during trials. Research will focus on optimizing radiation shielding solutions, as well as designing shielding and protective enclosures suitable for high-dose environments.

Additionally, training systems, mechanisms, and overall robot design will continue to be improved to meet the specific requirements of each working environment and application.

Furthermore, the team is continuing to develop effective communication solutions in isolated areas with high radiation interference, while integrating more artificial intelligence to improve autonomy and coordination among multiple robots in scenarios requiring the simultaneous deployment of several systems.

By Phuong Mai/CVN