Bacardi Limited, the parent company of Dewar’s blended Scotch whisky brand, has turned to cutting-edge technology to address the challenge of leaky whisky barrels. The National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) proposed an innovative solution: employing a Boston Dynamics robot dog equipped with an ethanol sensor to detect leaking barrels within the vast warehouses where the whisky matures.
Angus Holmes, Bacardi’s whisky category director, highlighted the significant issue of barrel leakage in the spirits industry, emphasizing the importance of preserving as much whisky as possible in each cask. With thousands of barrels maturing for years, the risk of leaks poses a substantial threat to the quality and quantity of the final product.
Andrew Hamilton from NMIS suggested leveraging the Boston Dynamics Spot robot’s mobility to patrol the warehouses effectively. To enhance the robot dog’s detection capabilities, it was equipped with a heightened sense of smell, mirroring a canine’s olfactory prowess.
The robot dog’s role is crucial in identifying both liquid leaks and vapor evaporation, the latter being particularly challenging to detect. While evaporation is a natural part of whisky maturation, excessive loss can impact the whisky’s quality and quantity, making early detection vital for Bacardi’s operations.
This use of robotics showcases the intersection of technology and traditional industries, demonstrating how advanced sensors and mobility can address longstanding challenges in unique ways.
Source: WIRED