VUJE Presented IRIS 24 and PULSAR for the Nuclear Industry at the European Robotics Forum 2026

At ERF 2026, IRIS 24 and PULSAR were presented within the expert session Robotics in Nuclear Harsh Environment, dedicated to robotic solutions for inaccessible and hard-to-reach nuclear environments.

The European Robotics Forum brings together experts from industry, research and public institutions each year and is regarded as one of the leading professional platforms for sharing knowledge on emerging technologies in robotics and automation.

International Recognition and Safety

The IRIS 24 telerobotic system is a specialised solution designed for VVER steam generator environments. Its design responds to conditions that are significantly more demanding than those found in several Western types of steam generators.

What drew particular interest from the expert audience was the integration of mechatronics, sensing technologies and control systems into one fully functional unit.

PULSAR technology is designed for laser cleaning of the reactor pressure vessel.

A key point of interest was the operating space itself: the system works in an approximately 30-centimetre gap along the circumference of the reactor pressure vessel.

The presentation was attended by experts from sectors closely linked to nuclear energy, including representatives of regulatory authorities as well as university and research institutions from Finland, France and the United Kingdom. The discussion confirmed that with solutions of this kind, attention is drawn not only to the end result, but also to the way the technology can be designed, approved and safely deployed under extremely constrained conditions.

Potential for New Markets

Although IRIS 24 is specialised for VVER-type steam generators, PULSAR technology and newly developed manipulators have broader application potential. Since the basic shapes of reactor pressure vessels are similar across different types of power plants, VUJE’s solutions are also well positioned for deployment in Western markets.

“Robotics is no longer just about replacing human labour. It is about finding new ways to increase the precision, safety and functionality of technologies, even in environments where people cannot work,” added Adrian Kovalyk, Director of the Diagnostics of Nuclear Power Plants Division, describing the company’s vision.

Participation in the forum confirmed that VUJE is keeping pace with global developments in humanoid robotics andartificial intelligence, which it is gradually integrating into its processes with the aim of enhancing quality and safety in the energy sector. What until recently was seen as a technological showcase is now becoming a practically applicable tool even for demanding industrial environments.

“Over the past two years, we have seen first-hand just how significant the progress in robotics and sensing technologies has been. For us, it is equally important to monitor which aspects of this development can be transferred into solutions for the nuclear environment,” said Adrian Kovalyk.