The EIC Accelerator program is a European Innovation Council scheme within the framework of Horizon 2020, and TiHive has secured the funding for its compact imaging system based on terahertz light, combined with AI algorithms, for deployment in real-time quality control inspections.
The company's terahertz AI-aided imaging system will allow for smarter, non-invasive, detection of product defects during in-line production, when flaws can be fixed more inexpensively than if they are spotted after production is complete. Correcting flaws during production brings manufacturers significant cost advantages and reduces the amount of wasted raw materials.
TiHive will use the funds to bring its terahertz AI-aided imaging system to an industrial scale and help accelerate expansion in European and US markets..
“TiHive is transforming the way in which manufacturers qualify their products and manage raw material resources, saving them billions of euros,” said Hani Sherry, CEO and co-founder of TiHive. “The European Commission’s strong backing will boost our commercial roll-out and scale-up. This will be the very first deployment of terahertz imaging inspection technology at an industrial scale, opening the doors to numerous new market applications.”
TiHive, set up three years ago, has focused on the hygiene and personal care markets which it estimates offer a €10 billion opportunity in potential material savings and quality improvements for manufacturers of personal care products, which it says generate a combined €150 billion in sales each year.
TiHive has won a number of customers with its detection capabilities. One specific use case is in monitoring the application of super-absorbent polymer (SAP) materials in diapers. SAP is the key ingredient in diapers; enabling them to absorb large amounts of liquid effectively. Manufacturers want to better understand how much SAP is deposited on each diaper and how it is distributed.
With the most advanced production lines manufacturing up to 1,200 diapers a minute, if SAP is being overdosed, costs can add up quickly. If it is underdosed, then the product risks failing. Other anomalies, such as high humidity and the presence of contaminants, like oil, small pieces of metal and insects, can also be detected.
TiHive’s terahertz imaging system ‘sees-through’ products, similar to an x-ray machine. However, its system provides fast imaging data, safely; whereas x-ray measurements pose dangers to operators and use a complex process that isn’t as effective. X-rays are also not sensitive enough to be useful in many industries. In fabrics, plastics and other materials softer than metal, their wavelength penetrates too intensely to detect subtler contrasts. Unlike x-rays, TiHive’s system is modular, users have the flexibility to combine any number of terahertz-vision cameras to cover larger surface areas.
“TiHive’s plug and play solution consists of integrated circuit-based technology and artificial intelligence algorithms. It includes a transmitter and receiver, which, when positioned either side of an object, reveal physical characteristics or quality indicators that have previously been impossible to measure,” explained Clement Jany, CTO of TiHive.
According to TiHive, scientists consider terahertz waves as the final frontier in the electromagnetic spectrum. Researchers are now decoding their behaviour and discovering new ways to harness their potential. TiHive believes that the coming years will see a number of terahertz breakthroughs hit the market, ranging from contactless glucose monitors in blood to ultra high speed 6G data transmission.
“Thanks to the support of the EIC, we can accelerate the industrialisation and pre-commercialisation of our breakthrough inspection solutions to bring tangible benefits to customers,” added Carlos Prada, CFO & co-founder of TiHive.
Based in Grenoble, TiHive said that it expects to finalise construction of its industry-grade testing facilities and laboratory infrastructure by 2021.
