Overview
XiniX AI ApS, a Danish robotics startup, is redefining food inspection with ‘Sprout’ - a soft, flexible robot designed to squeeze into hard-to-reach spaces. Supported by agrifoodTEF Danish Node through the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), the company is testing and validating Sprout’s capabilities in realistic environments to ensure reliability and safety. Recent mechanical upgrades, including a new retraction system and advanced sensor integration, have enhanced Sprout’s readiness for industrial trials and future adoption in food production settings.
Arable farming
Food processing
Greenhouse
Horticulture
Livestock farming
Tree Crops
Viticulture
About the customer’s need
Food factories require rigorous inspection protocols to maintain safety and hygiene, but many critical spaces are dangerous or inaccessible for humans, and conventional inspection technologies (such as drones) are not always suitable. XiniX AI’s goal has been to use advanced testing and validation to demonstrate that the Sprout robot can effectively and reliably inspect these challenging areas. Mechanical upgrades have been essential in making sure Sprout can meet inspection needs. Proving Sprout’s capabilities through controlled and documented validation is a key step before moving to pilot trials and broader adoption in the food industry.
About the service
agrifoodTEF, through the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), is supporting XiniX AI with a comprehensive testing and validation service tailored to food industry robotics in controlled, non-operational environments.
Key activities include:
- Simulated Environment Testing: Sprout has been put through a variety of tests in dedicated laboratory settings that mirror real food production challenges, such as navigating tight pipes and identifying potential food safety hazards.
- Inspection Protocol Validation: The robot’s sensor systems and ability to detect issues like dirt or rust have been evaluated and validated according to food factory requirements, ensuring reliable detection results.
- Performance Documentation: All findings from these controlled environment tests have been carefully documented to build a strong evidence base for Sprout’s future deployment.
- Industry Readiness Preparation: Feedback from these validation efforts is directly informing plans for pilot testing and establishing Sprout’s readiness for upcoming trials in real factory settings.
Parallel to validation activities, mechanical upgrades have supported Sprout’s readiness for demanding industry applications. XiniX AI is also engaging with industry partners to facilitate future real-world trials and eventual adoption.
Next, Sprout will enter live factory testing, where technologies such as LiDAR and SLAM will be integrated and validated.
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Impact
Thanks to agrifoodTEF’s structured testing and validation, XiniX AI’s Sprout robot is now ready to take the next step toward operational use in food production. Mechanical improvements have underpinned these efforts, ensuring the robot can meet industry demands for reliability and safety. As Sprout prepares for real-factory trials, the groundwork laid through collaboration with the Danish Technological Institute ensures a strong pathway toward safer, smarter, and more efficient inspection processes, advancing the future of robotics in the food industry.
This success story showcases how AI and robotics, supported by agrifoodTEF, can benefit agri-businesses. Could your business be the next? Discover our services and join the technological revolution in agriculture.
