The movers can operate in small spaces and are equipped with manipulator arms which precisely lock and unlock the cassettes and cut and weld pipes. The range and variety of what this machinery can do is unprecedented in the industry and will set the standard for the future of fusion.

Creating equipment this complex was no mean feat and required innovative thinking to solve challenging problems. While technical approaches were broadly consistent, there were differences in ways of working and processes which had to be accommodated by all participants on the project. The UK team, for example, learned that their approach was heavily process-led and were encouraged to work more flexibly by adopting alternative and more efficient approaches employed by their project colleagues which may not have otherwise been considered.

From the outset of the project, communication was the key priority. The team regularly worked together over Skype and also scheduled face-to-face meetings once a month, hosted on rotation by the different organisations and stakeholders involved in the DRHS. This gave the team a vital chance to build a rapport, learn about each other’s skillsets, and cultivate a working environment where ideas could be openly discussed and critiqued even when working remotely.

Working remotely and with multiple nationalities also quickly showed up the importance of articulating ideas clearly and precisely. No more relying on implied details! While this meant it sometimes took more time to deliver a piece of work, it also had the effect of raising the quality and ultimately worked to the strength of the project – and taught us all a lesson about patience!

The DRHS is the type of project that only comes along once in a while, but it highlights the advantages to be gained from embracing diversity. Large-scale collaboration certainly presents challenges, but it is also a rewarding and fulfilling opportunity to absorb new ideas, learn from peers and listen to new perspectives. Getting to work on first-of-its-kind technology such as the DRHS as well is the icing on the cake.