Backgrounder – Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC)

Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) is a challenge-based research and development program that supports Canadian small businesses and innovators to develop novel solutions to complex problems.

Today, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, announced over $1 million for seven projects under the ISC program. Each of the following seven small businesses are receiving up to $150,000 to advance exciting new ideas for solving challenges in the agriculture sector.

Under the Canadian Meat Processing Technology Development Challenge, projects include:

• mode40 ltd. will identify the practical application of devices that connect over the internet and artificial intelligence methodologies to improve carcass cooling and its related challenges.
• Exonetik Inc. will develop a robotic arm system that utilizes artificial intelligence learning to automate challenging tasks.
• POSS Design Limited will develop a multifunctional system capable of turkey drumstick removal and separation, and maximized meat protein recovery.

Under the Enhancing Automation in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Farming Challenge, projects include:

• Kinova Inc. will develop a low-cost and accessible multi-produce picking solution using Kinova’s existing lightweight robotic manipulator technology.
• Circulus Agtech Solutions Inc. will develop a plant health control system using computer vision and an automated organic liquid nutrient analyzer to reduce visual inspection requirements.
• Mycionics Inc. will develop a robotic packing system to completely automate the processes of harvesting fresh-market quality mushrooms.
• Smart Pix Robotics Inc. will develop a 3D modelling system to enable the digitization of greenhouses at a micro-precision level to enhance labour efficiency and productivity.