Robotics has made its way into the fruit and vegetable sector, particularly in the fresh-cut industry, albeit with a delay compared to other industrial sectors, due to the challenges posed by the complexity of operations. First and foremost, fruits and vegetables exhibit variable shapes, sizes, and textures, requiring the use of highly delicate and precise robotic systems. Unlike industries such as automotive, where components are standardized, the handling of fruits and vegetables demands customized and more complex solutions. Moreover, strict food safety regulations further complicate the implementation of robotics.
Robotics and Automation in the Supply Chain
Before delving into the topic, it is important to make a preliminary distinction between robotics and automation. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, it should be clarified that although all robotic systems are automated, not all automated systems involve the use of robots, as they refer to different technologies. Robotic systems employ programmable robots capable of performing complex tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously, adapting to real-time variables. Automated systems, on the other hand, involve processes without direct human intervention, but do not necessarily entail the use of robots; they may also include sensors and fixed machines. Therefore, robotic systems represent a more advanced and versatile form of automation.
In the past, technology was not sufficiently advanced to support the use of such systems, which require precise devices like machine vision, artificial intelligence, and tactile sensors. Only with the advent of more mature and accessible technologies, such as high-resolution sensors, new robotic architectures, and machine learning algorithms, has it become possible to develop solutions capable of addressing the challenges posed by nature.
Due to the limited scope of this article, I will primarily focus on the processing stages of fruits and vegetables, which are delicate and easily damaged. However, a brief introduction to the “farm-to-table” journey is necessary to provide proper context. Fruits and vegetables undergo various stages, such as harvesting, sorting, and calibration, before reaching processing plants. The agricultural sector is increasingly integrating automated solutions to meet the growing demand for efficiency, precision, and sustainability in food production. With the shortage of labor, particularly for seasonal and manual tasks, automation offers a solution by robotizing processes like harvesting, weeding, and sorting. Additionally, the use of robotics improves the consistency and quality of products, ensuring they meet strict standards for size, shape, and safety.
Less Waste and More Efficiency
Robots equipped with advanced sensors and vision technology can detect imperfections, damage, or overripe fruits and vegetables that might otherwise go unnoticed during manual sorting. By removing non-compliant products at early stages, the system ensures that only the highest-quality products proceed to further processing, thereby reducing the likelihood of waste in subsequent stages. Moreover, robots can work quickly and consistently, minimizing delays and handling errors that could lead to spoilage. As a result, the system contributes to a more efficient and sustainable supply chain, delivering fresher, higher-quality products with less waste.
Upon receipt at the facility, the automation of simple and repetitive tasks in processing, such as product cutting and removal of inedible parts, represents a significant breakthrough for the industry. The adoption of robotic systems allows these operations to be performed with maximum efficiency, minimizing waste and ensuring consistent product quality. This is already the case in stages such as trimming and sorting adult lettuce, but it is also applied, for example, in the depicking of strawberries. These operations, essential for ensuring quality and food safety, are among the most repetitive and hazardous in the sector. Furthermore, they are often performed in refrigerated environments to maintain product freshness, conditions that can be uncomfortable for human operators during long work sessions.
Another area where robotic systems have seen widespread adoption in leading fresh-cut industry companies is in the weighing and mixing of components. In the production of IV Range fruit and vegetable products, ingredient mixing is a crucial stage to ensure quality and food safety. These products require delicate handling to preserve their organoleptic and nutritional properties, as well as maximum attention to food allergies and cross-contamination risks. A robotic assembly line can offer the flexibility and precision needed to handle a variety of ingredients and integrates easily into an existing processing layout. For other tasks (particularly in Japan), cobots (collaborative robots) are bringing numerous advantages in terms of efficiency, safety, and quality. These robots are designed to work closely with human operators, performing repetitive and physically demanding tasks, improving precision, and reducing the risk of errors. I believe we will witness very interesting developments in this regard in the relatively near future.
The CEA Industry
It is also worth mentioning the CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) sector, which involves the cultivation of plants in controlled environments, such as vertical farms and indoor facilities. In this type of agriculture, factors such as light, temperature, and humidity are regulated to optimize plant growth. While the sector is highly technological, with innovative solutions like the use of LEDs for plant growth and hydroponic systems, labor costs and associated expenses represent a significant portion of operational costs. On average, these costs can constitute between 55% and 60% of total operating expenses.
To address this challenge, the CEA industry is adopting robotic solutions, such as automated harvesting robots, plant monitoring systems based on machine vision and sensors, and robots for warehouse and packaging management. These robots not only reduce the reliance on manual labor but also improve efficiency, precision, and production quality, enabling more sustainable and cost-effective resource management.
Are Robots the Future of the Industry?
In the near future, artificial intelligence and machine learning will be increasingly integrated into robotic processing of fruits, vegetables, and food products in general. Robots will progressively become more flexible and adaptable, capable of performing a variety of tasks with less human intervention, learning from the surrounding environment and improving efficiency.
The development of robotic solutions will thus be crucial in creating more efficient and sustainable methods for processing fruits and vegetables, reducing waste, and optimizing energy resource use. The use of robotics in the food industry will continue to grow as technology evolves, radically transforming the way fresh-cut products are produced.
