Spot on!

With Y-12’s emergency responders at a safe distance away, Mr. T, one of the site’s two robotic dogs, investigates an unknown chemical spill at Y-12.

OAK RIDGE, Tenn — Across the National Security Enterprise, many people work in high consequence environments. An accident involving any number of materials on site can be extremely serious. Equally serious are security incidents involving a suspicious package or an unauthorized suspect on‑site. Responding to an accident, security incident, or abnormal event comes with inherent risks. However, Y‑12 National Security Complex’s (Y‑12) application research into and growing use of technology is helping mitigate those risks when an accident occurs.

On June 19, 2025, Y‑12 emergency responders were alerted to a potential hazardous chemical spill on‑site. At the time of the initial call, what was spilled was unknown, making the potential dangers also unknown. The emergency responders requested a hand (or a paw) from the Y‑12’s Plant Directed Research, Development, and Demonstration (PDRD) Spot research project.

Spot is a Boston Dynamic quadruped robot, or robotic dog, that is being investigated as potential support for accidents, security incidents, and abnormal events for security and emergency services at Y‑12. The name “Spot” is the model designator for all Boston Dynamic quadrupeds.

Chris Burns, vice president of Safeguards, Security, and Emergency Services, summarized the situation at its onset. “Due to the concerns with the unknown materials, the fire department requested deployment of our Spot and unmanned aircraft system [drone]. The technology was used to minimize life safety impacts to our responders,” Burns said.

As one of Y‑12’s unmanned aircraft systems kept a close watch as the thermal eyes in the sky, Spot was stepped into the building to sniff (check) out the spill. Using Spot’s 360‑degree camera, first responders were able to assess the situation up close from a safe distance of 30 yards away. Outfitted with a camera on its robotic arm, Spot was able to look for the spread of the spill under and around obstacles present in the area, looking under pallets and behind barrels.

Spot was able to relay information back to emergency responders as to what was spilled and the degree of spillage. From this data, Y‑12’s emergency responders were able to be fully prepared before entering the building and cleaning up the spill.

“Life safety is our first priority during an emergency response,” said Justin Goehring, director of Emergency Management. “If I can keep responders out of harm’s way by sending in a robot, that’s a win.”

In Fiscal Year 2025, the Y‑12 PDRD program’s portfolio contained over 70 projects ranging in focus areas from safeguards and security, to production, to digital technology, to global security.

“Y‑12 is proud of the diversity of its PDRD portfolio,” declared Patrick Moehlen, director of Y‑12 PDRD. “Investments in technologies for safeguards and security enable our mission by rethinking how to conduct incident response. PDRD seeks disruptive technologies that help the plant go quicker, even if that technology serves to get us back on our feet after an upset condition impacts the site.”

“We actually have two robotic dogs,” said Joe Rainwater, one of Spot’s handlers in Security Systems and the principal investigator on the PDRD project. “We’ve named them Murdock and Mr. T, like The A Team. Mr. T was the robot that responded to the spill on June 19, and his work was “Spot on!”

Mr. T and Murdock can operate for 90 minutes on fully charged batteries. The dogs may be deployed alone or together (or with additional tools, like the robotic arm).

Mr. T demonstrating retrieval of a suspicious package while personnel monitor from a safe distance.

“We’ve discovered that the dogs work well in tandem, with one dog’s camera shadowing the dog with the robotic arm,” said Rainwater. “The camera helps guide operators through tasks, such as picking up objects.”

The dogs can traverse various terrains, walking on gravel, pavement, uneven ground, and even snow. They also maintain their balance when bumped or kicked.

“Being able to deploy these dogs in hazardous situations has the potential to save lives,” said Goehring. “We’re looking forward to adding them to our emergency response team.”

“Spot is changing how Y‑12 monitors and operates on‑site, ensuring the safety of our employees and community, and making data‑driven decisions,” said Moehlen. “We currently are looking to expand the capabilities of Spot with onboard chemical sensors allowing for better informed decision making.”

“And, these robots have real-world applications,” continued Rainwater. “This technology can be used in search and rescue efforts, security incidents, or environmental events by city, county, and state emergency responders, saving the lives of those who run into high‑consequence environments.”