Bacardi Tests Dog Robot for Ethanol Level Monitoring at Whisky Distilleries

At the whisky maturation facility John Dewar & Sons, located near Glasgow, the Scottish whisky industry is testing an innovative robotic system resembling a dog for the first time. This project is being implemented by Bacardi in collaboration with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) and the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), with development carried out by the Digital Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) in Irvine.

This is reported by AgroReview

Technological Solution for Safety Monitoring

The new robot is equipped with a specialized sensor kit that, using a 3D-printed arm designed by NMIS engineers, can measure ethanol vapor levels while following a predetermined path inside the warehouse. This approach allows for the rapid determination of ethanol concentration, which is crucial for safety and quality control in production. Bacardi has actively participated in the development of the experiment and conducted initial tests before the main testing phase.

Opportunities for Various Industries

The project is currently in the early testing phase, during which the potential for autonomous inspection is being explored not only in the whisky industry but also in the chemical and energy sectors. The main goal of the tests is to enhance the efficiency and safety of routine inspection processes, initially focusing on whisky barrels, but with the potential for the technology to be applied in other manufacturing environments.

Angus Holmes, the whisky category director at Bacardi, noted:

“Craftsmanship and heritage remain at the core of our production of blended Scotch whisky Dewar’s and our portfolio of single malt whiskies, but there is also significant potential for innovations and technologies that can help the industry become more efficient and data-driven.”

As Holmes shared, the team was so captivated by the presence of the dog robot at the facility that they gave it its own name — Bacardi, Royal Bark-la, in honor of the famous single malt whisky Royal Brackla.