As the food industry being one of the most significant businesses among the various manufacturing industries, it subsidises the highest employability. However, the human workforce being an essential part of the smooth execution of food production and packaging, there are many failures in maintaining the demand-supply chain and a lack of food safety.

In order to overcome the issues developed in food industry by the human intervention, industrial automation can be counted as one of the best possible solutions. In today’s scenario, automation in food industry is inevitable in both food production and distribution.

The manufacturers mainly use automation and robotics in the food industry for food production and packaging. The prolonged shelf life and enhanced food safety has drastically changed food packaging to another level. In addition, the production cost declined as the food quality improved. The automation involves AI, Robotics, drones and 3D printing. The manufacturers can efficiently handle the food production and delivery processes using the AI-based system and improve operational competence.

Food manufacturers can detect items and consumer demands; then, they match the output to this need using data analysis. This is made possible only because of the inclusion of robotics and AI software development. When companies start evaluating critical operations such as processing, shipping and storage, they become more capable of overseeing food quality and safety. Nowadays, various food service companies have made considerable investments in robotics and AI.

How AI is transforming the food industry?

Artificial Intelligence is being extensively used in almost every domain and is being merged with technology worldwide with its immense possibilities. For example, the impact of AI in food industry is incredible and is extensively used nowadays, even if it is for manufacturing, calorie monitoring or extraction and processing.

AI in supply chain administration

When it comes to supply chain management, there is a significant responsibility for all business due to the arising rules and regulations surrounding the food standards and the increase in demand for disclosure. AI is used in the food industry to improve supply chain operations by assisting in food standards surveillance, product testing, inventory management, product tracking (from harvest to distribution) and ensuring the basic hygiene standards of workers. For example, using cameras for facial recognition and object recognition, the AI will check if the workers are wearing caps and masks as per the food safety regulations.

AI in deploying new products

In order to dominate the industry, using AI, the manufacturers can foresee how well their products would get accepted before they release it to the market. AI assures it by applying algorithms to identify the recent trends in the food industry and predict its growth and success. Furthermore, the AI predicts the trend, consumer tastes and patterns to identify how the consumers will respond to their new products using machine learning and AI analytics.

AI in food production

AI can set an ideal growth surrounding that could help the farmers in farming better food. By predicting optimal growth conditions AI is assisting farmers in producing better-quality crops. A lot of businesses are using AI to track down the aspects like humidity, soil moisture, salinity etc. AI is also used in agriculture to detect insects and diseases that could affect crops and boost soil quality.

How Robotics is transforming the food industry?

Though robotics plays a pivotal role in food manufacturing industry, the adoption of robotics in the industry is relatively low compared to other industries. However, Robotics has penetrated every stage of food supply chain for the past few years.   

Robotics in agriculture

Using robots in agriculture can be used to explore farming fields, cut grass and keep the record of status of harvests. From feeding the animals to collecting eggs or diary, these machines can handle the routine jobs that can assist farmers in handling tasks that do not require much precision or understanding. Using drones can also offer an aerial view of field for better evaluation. For example, it provides data of crops that need hydration or fertilisation.

Robotics in food manufacturing

Robots can assist in manufacturing by cleaning and categorising different types of food. Fruits and vegetables can be suitably sorted into different containers using robotic systems. Since the fruits and vegetables needed to be sliced before packaging, robots can operate them more effectively, easing the workers’ effort.

Robotics in packaging

Robotics in food packaging can immensely help manufacturers by assembling packaged meals like frozen meals. Robotic packaging can assist in quick and effective as they enable the workers to understand and fulfil the market demands. The robotic systems can organise the food in containers for better storage and shipment. This enhances store operations by retrieving items and managing store inventories with the help of robots.

Considering the time and human effort, using AI and Robotics in food industry, people can focus on cognitively demanding tasks. At the same time, AI and robots can take care of the basic work. Moreover, the usefulness, reliability and client experience that robotics delivers can take the sector to next level.

https://appinventiv.com/blog/automation-in-food-industry/