In nuclear plants, as in almost all industrial plants, there is always a lot of materials handling that requires various common and also sophisticated tools. HSIs for materials handling include simple overhead cranes, forklifts and even programmable robotic systems. Advanced HSIs will play an increasingly important role in fuel and material handling systems, especially for handling hazardous materials like low — and high — level radioactive waste. Several technologies are becoming prominent in new means to improve reliability and safety in hazardous applications. These include graphic visualisation for remote controls that will take traditional methods of materials handling to a new level. Devices envisaged include robots or remote-controlled machines, augmented reality and eye — and position-tracking systems for tasks such as planning for surveillance and maintenance in plant areas where environmental conditions such as radioactivity, heat, cold, dust or toxic materials would prevent or limit human access. In addition to visual monitoring and material handling systems, HSIs would have the ability to notify operators immediately if there is a problem in the system, including jams, misaligned sensors, worn bearings or related issues that cause system degradation. These kinds of technologies will thus offer significant benefits for system as well as human performance.