Institution: Robotics for Extreme Environments Group, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom

The MallARD platform was designed in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 2017 Robotics Challenge which called for the design of a robotized platform to autonomously propel itself across the surface of a pond whilst carrying an optical sensor (the Improved Cerenkov Viewing Device, ICVD). The ICVD enables IAEA inspectors to confirm the presence of spent fuel underwater. MallARD passed the first round and was selected to participate in the second round in Brisbane, Australia.