Godzilla: ITER deploys powerful robot to help assemble fusion reactor

The ITER project has introduced "Godzilla," the most powerful industrial robot commercially available, to assist in assembling the world’s largest fusion tokamak. Standing 4 meters tall with a 5-meter arm and capable of lifting up to 2.5 tons, Godzilla is deployed in the Tokamak Assembly Preparation Building in southern France. Its primary role is to develop and test the specialized tools and technologies that will be used by other robots to install 20,000 components inside ITER’s vacuum vessel. These tools include a prototype "tool changer" that enables quick switching among over 30 specialized tools for tasks such as bolting, welding, inspecting, and cutting, which is critical for efficient and precise in-vessel assembly. Godzilla’s testing platform helps refine robotic vision systems and force sensors that provide the robots with the ability to "see" and "feel," ensuring delicate handling in the confined and densely packed tokamak environment. This sensory capability is essential to avoid damage during assembly. The assembly process