Russia Launches AI Laboratory for Nuclear Energy and Uncrewed Systems
A new edge-AI laboratory in Tomsk is giving researchers access to Russia’s latest neural‑network accelerator, opening the door to safer nuclear‑energy systems, autonomous aircraft, and next‑generation robotics
Building Safer AI for Critical Infrastructure
Tomsk State University has launched a new artificial‑intelligence laboratory aimed at advancing trustworthy, safety‑critical AI systems for nuclear energy, uncrewed aerial vehicles, transport infrastructure, and other high‑risk sectors. According to the university, the initiative is designed to accelerate development of intelligent systems for radiation‑monitoring robots, satellite‑free navigation for drones, and search‑and‑rescue technologies.
The team plans to build energy‑efficient AI models capable of operating in harsh Arctic conditions, where cold, wind, and limited visibility make sensor performance and system reliability especially challenging.
Unique Access to a Domestic Neural‑Network Accelerator
The new Laboratory of Intelligent Systems for Edge Computing was launched by the university’s Institute for Big Data and Artificial Intelligence in partnership with Russian technology developer HighTech.
A key advantage is the lab’s access to LinQ, a domestically produced neural‑network accelerator. The facility will combine hardware and software development to advance trusted AI architectures.
Its hardware stack will rely on LinQ HPS accelerators capable of performing up to 960 trillion operations per second—providing researchers with the computational power required for edge‑AI workloads such as real‑time vision, autonomous navigation, and high‑risk industrial automation.
A Strategic Push Toward Autonomous, Resilient Technologies
The project reflects Russia’s broader move toward high‑assurance AI for mission‑critical environments. Edge computing is becoming essential for nuclear‑energy facilities, remote monitoring stations, and UAV platforms that cannot rely on continuous cloud connectivity.
By integrating AI into radiation‑monitoring robotics, Arctic‑ready drones, and resilient navigation systems, the Tomsk laboratory aims to create technologies that reduce operational risks and increase safety across some of the country’s most important sectors.
If successful, the effort could accelerate the deployment of autonomous systems in areas where reliability is non‑negotiable—laying the groundwork for next‑generation nuclear‑energy operations and uncrewed aviation.
