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Robo-Dogs Hunt Whisky Barrel Leaks
20 Feb
Summary
- Robotic dogs are being tested to detect leaking whisky barrels.
- Bacardi is using AI-powered robots to combat significant whisky loss.
- The technology aims to find both liquid leaks and excessive evaporation.

Wooden barrels, essential for whisky maturation, present a persistent challenge for distillers due to leakage. Bacardi Limited, a major spirits company, faces substantial losses from this issue across its brands, including Dewar's Scotch whisky. The company is exploring innovative solutions to identify "leakers" before significant amounts of aged spirits are lost over years of maturation.
In response, Bacardi partnered with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS). NMIS proposed the adoption of robotic dogs, specifically mentioning Boston Dynamics' Spot robot. These robots would patrol whisky warehouses, equipped with advanced sensing capabilities to detect leaks. The goal is to identify not only visible liquid spills but also problematic evaporation, often referred to as "the angel's share."




