Robotic Automation and the Future of Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
Overview:
Robotic automation has emerged as a valuable solution in the perishable prepared food manufacturing sector. Driven by advancements in technology, a need for increased efficiency, and heightened food safety regulations, robotics is playing a pivotal role in transforming this industry. This guide discusses ways in which robotic automation impacts the future of perishable prepared food manufacturing and how solutions like 3Laws Robotics can enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency in this sector.
The Impact of Robotic Automation in the Food Manufacturing Sector:
Robotic automation is a game-changer in the perishable prepared food manufacturing industry, bringing an impressive level of efficiency and quality. According to the Association for Advancing Automation, there was a 27% increase in the use of robots in the food and consumer goods industry in the US between 2018 and 2019. Key drivers include reducing labor costs and improving food safety. These automated systems have the capacity to operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, maximizing productivity. Moreover, they offer consistency, precision and eliminate human errors, resulting in enhanced food quality and safety.
The Role of Robotic Automation in Meeting Stringent Food Safety Standards:
Implementing robotic automation helps manufacturers maintain stringent food safety standards. A total of 48 million Americans get sick annually from foodborne ailments, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Robots are less likely to introduce contaminants in the production process, thereby reducing the incidence of foodborne diseases. Moreover, they provide meticulous precision in tasks like sorting and packaging, ensuring no foreign materials end up in the final product. As a competitive advantage, their deployment also allows manufacturers to achieve ISO 22000 and FSSC 22000 certifications more easily.
The Future of Robotic Automation in Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing:
The future of perishable prepared food manufacturing looks promising given the potential of robotic automation. A report by Meticulous Research estimates that the food robotics market will reach $2.5 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 12.7% from 2020. Automation can provide additional benefits like flexibility and adaptability to changing market demands. In the long run, robotics can contribute to sustainable production by minimizing waste and optimizing resource usage.
Key Takeaways:
- Robotic automation is revolutionizing the perishable prepared food manufacturing sector, increasing efficiency and improving food safety.
- Automation allows manufacturers to meet stringent food safety regulations while reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.
- The future of this industry shows significant growth potential, with an increased focus on sustainability.
3Laws Robotics is committed to enhancing safety and reliability in robotics systems, which is particularly beneficial for the perishable prepared food manufacturing sector. Their software, 3Laws Supervisor, harnesses innovative technology to provide robust safety features and stability, streamlining the certification process. Using Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), developed at Caltech, the software offers mathematically provable safety.
With established use cases spanning diverse sectors such as warehouse automation and human-robot interaction, 3Laws Robotics offers adaptable and efficient solutions. Its technology enables safe operation of robots in diverse environments, with reactive collision avoidance capabilities ensuring smooth navigation in unpredictable surroundings.
The real-time guardrails provided by the 3Laws Supervisor enable robots to operate at their peak capabilities while maintaining safety, thus minimizing downtime due to unnecessary e-stops or collisions. Compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2, this next-generation solution goes beyond traditional e-stop methods, offering a proactive approach to safety that can unlock the full potential of robotics with dynamic, predictive safety that can be safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.