Precision Care for the Pile/Silo Grain Storage: AI-aided Penetrative Solution
Robotics Grain Silo Care
Mold contamination in stored grains poses a significant threat to food security and economic stability, particularly in Canada where harsh winter conditions exacerbate the challenges of grain storage. In Canada, the impact of mold on stored grain is substantial, with icing responsible for approximately 35% of production losses in wind farms, rivaling the impact of major mechanical failures. The financial implications are staggering, with estimated annual losses due to icing and cold climate effects reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.
The severity of mold infestation in Canadian grain silos depends on several factors, including moisture content, temperature, and storage conditions. Field fungi, which invade grain before harvest, require high humidity levels of 90-100%, while storage fungi can thrive at lower relative humidities of 70-90%. These molds can cause a range of detrimental effects, including:
- Complete grain destruction
- Severe discoloration
- Reduced nutritional value
- Production of dangerous mycotoxins
- Increased respiration rates in stored grains
In Canada, post-harvest spoilage losses are estimated to cost more than a billion dollars a year. This significant economic impact underscores the importance of effective mold prevention and early detection strategies.
Early detection of mold in grain storage systems offers numerous advantages:
1. Preservation of Grain Quality: Identifying mold growth in its early stages allows for prompt intervention, preventing widespread contamination and preserving the overall quality of the stored grain.
2. Reduced Financial Losses: Early detection enables farmers to isolate affected areas, potentially salvaging a larger portion of their harvest and minimizing financial losses.
3. Enhanced Food Safety: Prompt identification of mold growth helps prevent the production and spread of harmful mycotoxins, ensuring safer food products for consumers.
4. Improved Marketing Decisions: Early detection allows farmers to make informed decisions about grain marketing, potentially maximizing their bottom line.
5. Optimized Storage Management: Detecting mold early helps in adjusting storage conditions, such as temperature and moisture levels, to prevent further growth and spread.
Precision Pursuit Robotics has developed and is patenting a groundbreaking system for comprehensive mold monitoring in grain silos, specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by Canadian farmers. This innovative technology utilizes a sophisticated, penetrative approach to assess grain condition throughout the entire storage structure. The system employs advanced sensors and robotic components that can navigate through the grain mass, providing real-time data on moisture content, temperature, and gas concentrations at various depths and locations within the silo. At the heart of our patented technology is an artificial intelligence-driven navigation system that adapts to the unique characteristics of different grain types and silo configurations. This AI component allows the monitoring units to move efficiently through the grain pile, avoiding compaction and ensuring thorough coverage of the entire storage volume. The system is equipped with high-precision sampling mechanisms that can extract grain specimens from multiple points within the silo for detailed analysis. By implementing this advanced mold detection system, Canadian farmers can significantly reduce the risk of grain spoilage, improve storage management practices, and ultimately enhance the profitability and sustainability of their operations.