Smart Skin Technologies

Smart Skin Technologies provides a sophisticated line monitoring system for the global packaging industry, with a focus on pharmaceutical and beverage manufacturing. The company was founded in 2008 by Kumaran Thillainadarajah, who currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer. The initial concept for the technology emerged in 2009 while Thillainadarajah was a student at the University of New Brunswick, working on a project to create a sensor-enabled skin for prosthetics. After exploring various applications, the company pivoted in 2015 to address challenges in the bottling and packaging industry.

The core of Smart Skin's offering is the Quantifeel™ system, a solution that combines advanced wireless sensors, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to monitor the forces that containers experience on production lines. The company creates sensor-enabled replicas of its clients' containers—such as vials, syringes, cans, and bottles—which are placed directly onto the manufacturing line. These "drones" are outfitted with hundreds of sensors to measure pressure, shock, tilt, and rotation in real-time as they move through processes like washing, filling, capping, and labeling. This data is transmitted to the Quantifeel™ software, allowing operators to visualize line performance, pinpoint the root causes of damage or defects, and optimize equipment settings to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and minimize downtime.

The business operates on a global scale, serving 15 of the world's 20 largest pharmaceutical companies and major beverage brands, including Pfizer, Sanofi, Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. Revenue is generated through the sale of its integrated hardware and software solutions. The company's technology has proven critical in high-stakes environments, such as on production lines for COVID-19 vaccines, where it helped to reduce breakage and waste. Headquartered in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada, Smart Skin Technologies has received significant investment from firms like BDC Capital and Schott Pharma to fuel its expansion and product development.

Keywords: line monitoring, packaging optimization, sensor technology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, beverage bottling, data analytics, production efficiency, quality control, container handling, industrial IoT, Quantifeel, pressure sensing, fill-finish, packaging line diagnostics, downtime reduction, waste reduction, process optimization, manufacturing analytics, container damage, real-time monitoring