Sensors and embedded systems for an intelligent milk steamer
aēralab developed an automatic milk steamer that recognises the type of milk in the pitcher and adjusts the foaming process to it. NiniX Technologies developed the sensors and embedded systems, hardware and software, that make this possible. The combined sensor module measures the milk type, foam height and milk temperature without contact, so the machine can deliver consistent microfoam for every type of milk.
Recognising every type of milk inside a steamer
The milk steamer had to recognise dairy and plant-based milk, including oat, soy and almond milk, as well as chocolate drinks, and adjust the foaming process automatically.
Requirements
Fast, accurate analysis
Liquids must be identified quickly and reliably, before foaming starts.
Robust in use
The technology must withstand contamination, heat and intensive daily use.
Integrated and scalable
It must fit the compact, design-focused housing and scale quickly to series production.
Operating conditions
Inside the machine
Direct steam, high humidity, thermal shocks between cold milk and hot steam, varying heat sources, milk fats on optical surfaces and daily automatic cleaning.
Food safety
As food service equipment, the device has to meet food safety requirements (FDA, EU 10/2011).
Two months to Host Milano
Two months before its presentation at Host Milano, aēralab's integrated vision system failed because of contamination and heat. NiniX took over the development and delivered a working solution in hardware and software within that timeframe.
Contactless measurement, integrated in the design
NiniX developed a combined sensor module with three contactless measurements.
Milk type
Multispectral analysis (spectroscopy) determines the milk type and the composition of milk and foam.
Foam height
A Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensor measures the exact foam height during steaming.
Temperature
The milk temperature is measured without contact throughout the process.
Embedded software
Based on the measurements, the software automatically selects the correct steam settings and target temperature for the milk in the pitcher.
Electronics protection
Food-grade protection keeps the optical and electronic elements operational and calibrated through steam, heat and cleaning cycles, without affecting the device's design.
Consistent microfoam for every type of milk
Every type of milk
The steamer recognises and processes dairy and plant-based milk and chocolate drinks.
Fully autonomous
It works independently, including automatic cleaning.
Barista quality
It delivers consistent microfoam, regardless of who operates it.
An award-winning collaboration
For the NiniX team, the project combined the kind of challenges it works on every day: contamination, heat resistance and integration within a design product.
"We are proud to contribute to an award-winning product: the world's first intelligent milk steamer for top-quality milk foam by aēralab."
Thomas Nauwelaerts, Product Manager NiniX
Key facts
| Application | Automatic milk recognition and foam control in a professional milk steamer |
| Technologies | Multispectral analysis (spectroscopy), Time-of-Flight (ToF), contactless temperature measurement, food-grade electronics protection |
| Environment | Direct steam, high humidity, thermal shocks, milk fats, automatic cleaning |
| Requirements | Integration in a design product, food safety (FDA, EU 10/2011), scalable to series production |
| NiniX scope | Development of sensors and embedded systems (hardware and software) |
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