From rainforest to refinery: Soft robot reaches where no one else can

Kristian  Skaarup

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From rainforest to refinery: Soft robot reaches where no one else can

The startup XiniX AI has developed a soft robot that can wind its way into places where no one else can and deliver data that saves time, money, and human lives. They have now been granted one of the positions in the Danish Technological Institute’s robot incubator funded by Odense Robotics StartUp Fund.


Imagine a robot that can twist and squeeze its way into the most inaccessible corners of industrial facilities – without putting lives at risk and with the ability to deliver precise data about even the smallest defects.

This is exactly what the startup XiniX AI has developed with their soft robot.

− Hundreds of people die every year due to inspection work in dangerous confined spaces. Our technology can not only save lives but also revolutionise the way industry works, says the founder of XiniX AI, Eric Herrero, who has now established himself in Odense to take their technology to the next level.

XiniX AI's soft robot has secured them a ticket to Odense Robotics StartUp Fund, which gives robot and drone startups from Denmark and abroad access to soft funding, mentors, and a dedicated incubator environment at the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) in Odense.

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Can squeeze its way in

Many industries face challenges when it comes to inspecting confined spaces, and most solve them with drones.

But drones can fall short in cramped and dusty environments, which is not a problem for XiniX AI's robot, which can adapt to complex geometries and perform inspections with high precision – without creating the problems that drone propellers can cause.

− Our robot can be squeezed into spaces smaller than its own body and equipped with various sensors that can identify everything from corrosion to welding defects. This gives the industry the ability to act on precise data rather than guesswork, explains Eric Herrero.

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From rainforest to refinery

XiniX AI has just been accepted into the robot incubator at Odense Robotics StartUp Fund, where the company will gain access to Denmark's leading robot environment at DTI. Here, the Belgian startup will mature their prototype into a commercial product ready for the market.

The story behind XiniX AI is as fascinating as the technology itself.

It all started in the tropical rainforest during the XPRIZE Rainforest competition in 2019, where the team originally developed technology to identify animal and plant species.

− After seeing the potential of our technology during the competition, we decided to adapt it for industrial use, explains Eric Herrero and continues:

− What originally could identify rare plants can now detect corrosion, welding defects, and cracks in industrial facilities. Right now, we're focusing on inspection with the robot, but it will also be able to take samples and similar tasks over time.
 

About XiniX AI

XiniX AI develops soft robots and AI-based solutions for inspection in confined spaces.

Their technology is designed to increase safety, reduce costs, and deliver high-quality data to industries such as oil, gas, and energy.


About Odense Robotics StartUp Fund & Incubator

Odense Robotics StartUp Fund is a business fund with the aim of giving robot entrepreneurs from Denmark and abroad easier access to capital, sparring and a strong incubation environment:

  • Get access to founder-friendly capital in the form of a loan that you pay back when you can.

  • Strengthen your business strategy so you're ready to pitch to initial customers and investors.

  • Develop your prototype into a viable product in the Danish Technological Institute's incubator in Odense, where you get office space, work together with other startups and get access to advanced technical equipment.

  • Mentor course with leading figures from Denmark's robot and drone industry as well as technical experts and business coaches.

  • Expand your network in Denmark's thriving robot and drone ecosystem, meet partners, future investors and other startups.

www.robotstartupfund.dk