Case Study

Protecting grain quality and reducing waste with Crover

In brewing and distilling, raw material quality is fundamental to product consistency, efficiency and long-term competitiveness. Crover, a pioneering Heriot-Watt spinout, has developed the world’s first robotic grain monitoring system: a device that can move through stored grain to monitor moisture, temperature and storage conditions from inside the silo. By detecting risks earlier, the technology helps producers protect grain quality, reduce spoilage and make better-informed decisions about storage and supply chain management. The company’s development was supported by Heriot-Watt’s collaborative innovation environment, bringing together science, engineering and entrepreneurial expertise to refine the technology for real-world industry use. Crover’s success shows how applied research and enterprise can help address practical challenges across the brewing and distilling supply chain. It also demonstrates the kind of innovation ecosystem the Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling will help strengthen: one where new ideas can be tested, developed and translated into commercial and environmental value. For industry, the opportunity is clear. Smarter monitoring can reduce waste, protect valuable raw materials and support more resilient production systems, helping businesses adapt with confidence in a changing world. Crover’s technology has demonstrated the potential to reduce grain waste by up to 40%, while supporting better monitoring precision and more resilient supply chain management.