Crover teams up with Control Union to scale robotic grain inspections

The CROVER family of robots define a whole new category of unmanned systems. They can ‘swim’ through granular media—on and below the surface—while carrying heavy payloads safely on steep, unstable slopes. During operation, the CROVER probe measures temperature, moisture, and CO₂, and can collect grain samples. Photo: Crover/Control Union

Scottish robotics firm Crover has announced a strategic partnership with global inspection specialist Control Union to accelerate the deployment of its robotic grain monitoring and sampling technology.

The Crover robot is designed to “swim” through grain bulks—on and below the surface—to collect representative samples and measure critical storage parameters such as temperature, moisture, and CO₂ levels. This allows grain operators to remotely monitor storage conditions in real-time without disturbing the bulk material.

The new collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 23, 2025, will see the CROVER robot further tested and integrated into Control Union’s global grain inspection operations. Control Union operates in over 80 countries and provides testing, inspection, and certification services across agricultural supply chains.

Towards smarter grain management

“This partnership marks a major step forward in applying robotics to commodity inspection,” said Dr. Lorenzo Conti, Managing Director of Crover. “Control Union’s reach and field experience make them the ideal partner to scale the CROVER system globally.”

Koen Backer van Ommeren, Director at Control Union, added: “We see great potential in Crover’s robots to enhance efficiency and sustainability in grain handling. The ability to obtain real-time, data-rich insight into grain quality is a game changer for our inspection services.”

The collaboration builds on Crover’s earlier field validations, as reported by Future Farming in this article on robotic grain monitoring and this in-depth feature, which detail how the robot’s unique mobility through granular material solves key challenges in grain storage: uneven moisture distribution, early spoilage detection, and manual sampling risks.

Next steps

Crover and Control Union will now:

Conduct large-scale testing of the CROVER robot in real-world silos and warehouses.

Integrate operational feedback to improve performance.

Explore future robotic applications in commodity inspection beyond grains.

The CROVER system is part of a broader trend toward automation and digitization in post-harvest crop management. By reducing human exposure, ensuring consistent sampling, and enabling predictive interventions, such tools contribute to more sustainable and traceable food systems.