In a significant advancement for grain management, Crover, a Scottish agritech company, is set to launch new models of its innovative robotic grain monitoring system. Designed to navigate bulk grains such as wheat, barley, and oilseeds, the Crover robot promises to revolutionize how farmers and grain operators manage and maintain grain quality. With its unique ‘swimming’ technology, the Crover allows for unprecedented accuracy in monitoring storage conditions, helping to reduce claims and rejections, enhance safety, and detect spoilage with remarkable precision.
The brainchild of Founder and CEO Dr. Lorenzo Conti, the Crover concept originated during his PhD research at the University of Edinburgh. Conti’s vision was fueled by discussions with industry contacts who expressed a strong need for a solution that could tackle multiple challenges in grain storage. “There weren’t many solutions that ticked all the boxes,” Conti recalls, highlighting the excitement surrounding the robot’s potential to address issues related to grain waste and food security.
Equipped with advanced sensors for moisture, temperature, and CO2, the current version of the Crover can also collect physical samples of more than six liters. This capability not only enhances monitoring but also aids in minimizing energy costs associated with cooling and aeration, while reducing the necessity for chemical interventions. “It relies on what the operator does with the data we provide,” Conti explains, emphasizing the importance of human intervention in the current system.
The Crover family includes a versatile model capable of moving in any direction, with a standard version designed for surface movement. The robot can carry payloads of up to 50 kilograms and remains stable on slopes of up to 60 degrees. An onboard probe allows it to take samples or measurements from beneath the grain surface. The commercial version features a camera that operators can control via a joystick, with real-time data accessible through a mobile app. As connectivity improves, the data can be uploaded to the cloud, allowing for historical tracking and analysis.
Looking ahead, Crover is on the verge of releasing a fully autonomous version of the robot, expected by mid-next year. This advancement could significantly ease the workload for farmers and grain storage professionals who often face time constraints. “We have been working on enhancing analytics and on automation of the system,” Conti notes, indicating a future where operators may have less manual oversight and more automated solutions.
Safety is also a key focus for Crover, which is powered by an electrical cable to avoid issues of getting lost in the grain. A battery-operated model is in development for remote operations. Testing at ABP’s Port of Ayr has yielded promising results, demonstrating the robot’s effectiveness in maintaining grain quality, reducing energy costs, and minimizing chemical use, all while lowering claims and rejections associated with spoilage.
Traditionally, monitoring moisture levels in stored grain has been a manual, labor-intensive process fraught with risks, such as avalanches when accessing high stacks. Crover aims to mitigate these risks and streamline operations. “If the temperature or moisture level is too high in a specific area, we could automate cooling and aeration,” Conti explains, outlining future plans that include the potential delivery of natural pesticides.
As Crover prepares to expand its reach, it has garnered significant interest from the agricultural community, with high demand for its robots leading to partnerships with select operators in the UK and Italy. In September, the company plans to release 22 to 30 new robots, with ambitions to enter the North American and Australian markets soon after. The standard Crover model is priced at $21,000, while the version with the sampling module retails for $28,000, and subscription options are available in select regions.
Currently focusing on larger, centralized grain storage operations, Crover is also collaborating with farmers to ensure that its technology meets the diverse needs of the agricultural sector. As the company prepares for its global expansion, it stands poised to reshape grain management and set new standards in the industry.