The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Fukushima Institute for Research, Education and Innovation (F-REI) have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) on joint research in robotics and autonomous systems.
The MOC fosters UK-Japan collaboration between government-funded organisations, enhancing joint research opportunities and advancing science and innovation in key technical areas, such as:
- Robotics and autonomous systems: supporting nuclear decommissioning, operations in challenging environments and advanced manufacturing.
- Facility management and collaboration: sharing best practices in research facilities, harnessing a culture of innovation and commercialisation.
- Talent and skills: initiatives to drive partnerships and support talent and skills development.
The MOC was signed by Koetsu Yamazaki and Rob Buckingham on 4 March 2025 at UKAEA’s Culham Campus, UK.
Delivering sustainable fusion energy through robotics
UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise the scientific and economic benefits. Established in 2014, UKAEA’s world-class robotics centre, RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments), has been at the forefront of research and development in the deployment of robotics and autonomous systems within extreme industrial environments where human intervention is challenging.
Among RACE’s recent achievements is the successful development of next-generation robotics technologies for decommissioning through the LongOps project, funded by the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO).
UKAEA is a member of the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Collaboration (RAICo) alongside the NDA, Sellafield Ltd and the University of Manchester. The collaboration accelerates the deployment of robotics and AI to solve shared nuclear decommissioning and fusion engineering challenges.
UKAEA’s Executive Director, Professor Rob Buckingham, commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with F-REI, as both organisations share a strong commitment to advancing science and innovation in key technical areas, including robotics and autonomous systems.
“By leveraging our shared experience and expertise, I am confident we can further strengthen UK-Japan engagement across government, industry, and academia, driving cutting-edge advancements with real-world impact.”
Creative reconstruction in Japan
F-REI, established by the Government of Japan in April 2023 under the Act on Special Measures for the Reconstruction and Revitalization of Fukushima, is dedicated to becoming a world-class core centre for creative reconstruction through advanced technologies.
F-REI embodies the dreams and aspirations of Fukushima and other parts of the Tohoku region, aiming to drive Japan’s scientific and technological capabilities and industrial competitiveness.
The institute conducts research and development in the following five key areas:
- Robotics
- Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries
- Energy
- Radiation science, medicine, drug development, and industrial applications for radiation
- The collection and dissemination of data and knowledge on nuclear disasters.
“F-REI and UKAEA share complementary objectives in research, innovation, education, and commercialisation,” explained F-REI’s President, Dr Koetsu Yamazaki.
“The UKAEA’s extensive experience in developing productive research programmes, educational initiatives, innovation and commercialisation pipelines, and collaborative research facilities offers valuable lessons that can significantly benefit F-REI’s startup goals.”
He concluded: “We are also excited to enhance Japan’s scientific and technological capabilities and industrial competitiveness through this international collaboration.”
