Robotic Automation and the Future of Poultry Processing
Overview
Robotic automation has a great potential in revolutionizing the poultry processing sector leading to enhanced safety and proficiency. Some of the key statistics that portray the importance of robotic automation include the incidence of workplace injuries in the meat and poultry industry at 15.6% as per the National Employment Law Project, Waste reductions of up to 5-6% in poultry processing with automation as estimated by Marel, a leading food processing firm, and a projected global industrial robotics market worth of $41.23 billion by 2020, according to Allied Market Research.
The Current State of the Poultry Processing Industry
The poultry industry has long been known for strenuous and sometimes unsafe working conditions. Recent statistics from the National Employment Law Project suggest workplace injuries in the meat and poultry industry stand at 15.6%, far higher than the national average. This is due to the nature of the work that mostly involves repetitive tasks such as cutting, deboning and trimming which not only presents health dangers to the workers but also impacts efficiency.
Robotic Automation in Poultry Processing
In comes robotic automation—a game-changer in poultry processing. Here, robots perform complex cutting tasks, reducing human contact with the product, thereby enhancing food safety. Companies like Marel, a leading food processing firm, estimate that waste reduction of up to 5-6% can be achieved with automation in poultry processing. It offers precision and consistency, allowing for potentially higher yields and better product presentation.
Vision Systems and Gripping Technology
The successful application of robotics in poultry processing is possible through breakthroughs in vision systems and gripping technology. Vision systems allow robots to identify where to cut or disassemble the bird effectively, while gripping technology allows robots to adapt to changes in size and shape of the bird. Researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute have developed a 3D imaging system that can analyze a chicken carcass at nine different angles to determine where precisely cuts should be made.
The Future of Poultry Processing
There's a promising future for poultry processing with robotic automation. According to Allied Market Research, the global industrial robotics market is expected to be worth $41.23 billion by 2020. Countries such as Australia have already begun embracing robotics on a large scale, with companies such as DSI by Scott streamlining their processes through automation.
Key Takeaways
• Robotic automation decreases the rate of workplace injuries in the poultry industry.
• The use of robots for complex tasks in poultry processing enhances precision and consistency, leading to waste reduction.
• Technological advancements in vision systems and gripping technology are crucial in successful robotic automation in poultry processing.
• The demand for industrial robotics is skyrocketing, indicating a bright future for robotic automation in the poultry industry.
Introducing 3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics has realised the potential in robotic automation and is leading initiatives in providing safe and advanced technological solutions. 3Laws Robotics is at the forefront in the development of Safety-Certified AI software targeted at advancement in the poultry processing sector. 3Laws Supervisor, a groundbreaking product, enhances safety and reliability, opening paths for easy certification, which is usually a challenge in the robotics field.
Built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), this product from 3Laws provides mathematically provable safety, ensuring seamless operation within dynamic environments. Its reactive collision avoidance feature makes it stand out, enabling robots to operate effectively even in unpredictable conditions.
With use cases across various industries, it has already marked an impact in areas like warehouse automation with autonomous forklift customers reporting a 40% gain in efficiency. Besides, the 3Laws software, adaptable and versatile, supports platforms such as mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators. It is also compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2. Therefore, with 3Laws, we present next-generation safety solutions going beyond traditional e-stop methods and instead, offer a proactive approach to safety, unlocking the full potential of robotics. From this, industries like poultry processing are set to benefit hugely, offering a promising future where safety and proficiency go hand in hand.