05.26.23
Robots are a part of Unilever’s team at the 120,000 sq ft Material Innovation Factory (MIF) in Liverpool, UK—and artificial intelligence (AI) is helping scientists explore data in record time and translate discoveries into new formulas.
Co-founded by Unilever, the University of Liverpool and Research England, the MIF has the highest concentration of robots doing material chemistry in the world and they’re a game-changer for the €12 billion ($14.8 billion) Beauty & Wellbeing business group. Here’s why…
Take Ariana, for example. This robot prepares multiple consistent hair fiber samples in seconds. These perfectly prepped strands are then used for research and testing as part of scientists’ work to create haircare products for Unilever brands.
Dove’s Intensive Repair line, now on sale in the UK and the U.S., was developed with Ariana’s assistance, resulting in Unilever’s patented Fibre Repair Actives technology that helps to reconstruct inner hair fibers, reducing breakage and repairing from within.
The vibrant yet fully vegan Hourglass Confession Red Zero lipstick is one such example. Red lipstick is usually formulated using carmine – a pigment requiring over 1,000 crushed beetles per product. But using AI, Unilever’s experts were able to analyze color combinations and possibilities that would have taken millions of physical experiments to replicate. The lipstick launched in 2021.
“We are nothing without our science-backed products,” said Dr. Samantha Samaras, Head of Science and Technology, Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care.
“The MIF’s purpose is to create a community of talented future research leaders, exchanging ideas with academic colleagues and accelerating the discovery process. Our partnership here allows us to tap into the best minds and resources in robotics, which strengthens our insights and capabilities to power next-level innovation, scientific discovery, and produce products with superior performance.”
More than 200 patents were filed between 2020 and 2022 based on data generated at MIF, and Unilever has invested more than €100 million ($123.4 million) in the innovation hub in the past three years.
Learn more about the MIF by watching the video below:
Co-founded by Unilever, the University of Liverpool and Research England, the MIF has the highest concentration of robots doing material chemistry in the world and they’re a game-changer for the €12 billion ($14.8 billion) Beauty & Wellbeing business group. Here’s why…
Unlocking Time for Scientists
Each machine at the MIF is designed to crunch colossal amounts of data and maintain consistency across samples and testing. But this isn’t a case of robots replacing humans, claims Unilever. It’s more that they’re able to take on time-consuming, repetitive jobs at an otherwise impossible pace, freeing up valuable hours for our brilliant in-house experts and collaborative partners to invent, explore and create.Take Ariana, for example. This robot prepares multiple consistent hair fiber samples in seconds. These perfectly prepped strands are then used for research and testing as part of scientists’ work to create haircare products for Unilever brands.
Dove’s Intensive Repair line, now on sale in the UK and the U.S., was developed with Ariana’s assistance, resulting in Unilever’s patented Fibre Repair Actives technology that helps to reconstruct inner hair fibers, reducing breakage and repairing from within.
Utilizing AI to Advance Progress
Artificial intelligence is one advance that’s helping Unilever make progress at pace, allowing scientists to explore vast quantities of data in record time and translate discoveries into new formulas.The vibrant yet fully vegan Hourglass Confession Red Zero lipstick is one such example. Red lipstick is usually formulated using carmine – a pigment requiring over 1,000 crushed beetles per product. But using AI, Unilever’s experts were able to analyze color combinations and possibilities that would have taken millions of physical experiments to replicate. The lipstick launched in 2021.
“We are nothing without our science-backed products,” said Dr. Samantha Samaras, Head of Science and Technology, Unilever Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care.
“The MIF’s purpose is to create a community of talented future research leaders, exchanging ideas with academic colleagues and accelerating the discovery process. Our partnership here allows us to tap into the best minds and resources in robotics, which strengthens our insights and capabilities to power next-level innovation, scientific discovery, and produce products with superior performance.”
More than 200 patents were filed between 2020 and 2022 based on data generated at MIF, and Unilever has invested more than €100 million ($123.4 million) in the innovation hub in the past three years.
Learn more about the MIF by watching the video below:
