Robots and the Future of Meat Processed from Carcasses
Overview: The meat processing sector is set to revolutionize in the upcoming years. This guide will provide insight into how robots are set to be key players in facilitating this change, while also addressing how this technology can contribute to more safety and efficiency.
The Current Climate of Meat Processing: Meat processing is an industry that has long dealt with issues of inefficiency and safety. In 2019, over 20,000 workers were injured in meat and poultry processing plants, and 38 were killed, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meat processing is also an inherently wasteful process—40% of a typical cow carcass is often discarded in the process, according to the United Nations.
Robots and Meat Processing: Robots are set to make a difference in these statistics. With advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, robots can now perform complex tasks such as de-skinning, deboning, and portioning with incredible precision. According to the International Federation of Robotics, the installation of such robots in the meat processing industry has seen a 42% increase since 2015.
Safety Improvements With Robots: The introduction of robots to meat processing also means a significant boost to the safety of the industry. By performing dangerous tasks, robots reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous situations. It's predicted that by 2025, robots could reduce injury incidents in the meat processing industry by up to 33% according to a study by Frost & Sullivan.
Efficiency Enhancements With Robots: Efficiency is another major factor driving the robot revolution in meat processing. With precision cutting and error-elimination, waste can be reduced by as much as 20%, according to a study by Marel. Also, robots can work 24/7 without fatigue, drastically increasing productivity.
Impact on Job Market: Fears of job loss are widespread with the advent of any innovative technology like robotics. However, it's important to note that while automation may replace certain manual, repetitive jobs, it would also create roles that require maintenance, programming, and operation of these robots. A report by The European Association of Meat Processors suggests that the automation of the meat processing industry could result in a job growth of up to 17% by 2030 in new tech-savvy roles.
Key Takeaways: - Robots are set to revolutionize meat processing, improving both safety and efficiency. - By 2025, robots may reduce injury incidents in meat processing by up to 33% - Robots can potentially reduce waste in meat processing, increasing efficiency by 20% - Automation in the meat processing industry could result in job growth of 17% by 2030
3Laws Robotics: The potential of robotics in industries like meat processing requires innovative software solutions to enhance safety and reliability. To this end, 3Laws Robotics is developing cutting-edge software called 3Laws Supervisor. It helps industries leverage the power of robotics without compromising safety.
3Laws Supervisor enhances operational efficiency and ensures safety by providing real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, enabling robots to operate closer to their peak capabilities while maintaining safety. Whether it's warehouse automation or dynamic environments, 3Laws offers solutions that make robotic applications safer and more efficient.
The software is adaptable to a wide range of platforms including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators. Utilizing Control Barrier Functions technology developed at Caltech, 3Laws provides mathematically provable safety. This proven safety can potentially ease the certification path—an unparalleled benefit in any industry application.
Positioning it as a next-generation safety solution, 3Laws goes beyond traditional e-stop methods. It provides a proactive approach to safety, ensuring that the full potential of robotics is unlocked with dynamic, predictive safety. Compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2, the product can be safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.