France’s next-gen reactor burning nuclear waste gets robotic upgrade

French nuclear startup NAAREA has partnered with Italian robotics firm Fluid Wire Robotics (FWR) to equip its next-generation XAMR microreactors and fuel production facilities with advanced robotic systems. The XAMR is a fourth-generation fast neutron microreactor designed to generate 40 megawatts electric and 80 megawatts thermal power by burning long-lived nuclear waste from spent fuel. NAAREA plans to deploy these microreactors near energy-intensive industrial sites, retaining ownership to ensure ongoing safety and maintenance. Given the reactors’ operation in extreme environments—characterized by high radiation, temperatures, and underwater conditions—robotic solutions are critical for inspection, maintenance, fuel handling, and eventual dismantling. FWR’s proprietary “Fluid Wire” hydrostatic transmission system enables robotic arms with six degrees of freedom to operate remotely in high-radiation zones without exposing sensitive electronics to damage. This technology offers precise manipulation with force feedback and can withstand radiation doses up to 1.5 MGy, temperatures