GERMANY – TOMRA Food’s sorting and grading solutions have been honored with a prestigious International FoodTec Award for their exceptional accuracy in identifying foreign materials.
The award recognizes TOMRA’s innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud technology to enhance food safety, quality, traceability, and process efficiency.
Presented by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), the International FoodTec Awards celebrate groundbreaking developments in innovation, sustainability, and efficiency within the food technology sector.
TOMRA Food received a silver medal for “Foreign Material Identification, powered by AI and TOMRA Insight.”
The award-winning solution leverages AI and deep learning to address the challenges posed by the variable nature of factors such as weather and incoming raw materials in the potato market.
Sorting and grading machines, assisted by AI, make precise decisions, recover more good products from compromised raw materials, and accurately classify products into different grades.
TOMRA’s AI method employs deep learning, using pre-trained models to teach computers how to process data, particularly complex patterns in photos.
The deep learning model continuously analyzes images of foreign material captured by TOMRA sorters, facilitating constant improvement through ongoing model retraining.
The Foreign Material Identification solution is seamlessly integrated with the cloud-based data platform TOMRA Insight.
This integration allows for real-time and retrospective insights into raw materials and machine performance.
Operators can instantly respond to live data through a user-friendly dashboard, optimizing product consistency. Stored data is further analyzed for trend-monitoring and comprehensive insights, empowering users to enhance overall performance.
Felix Flemming, Head of Digital at TOMRA Food and Recycling, expressed satisfaction with the award, highlighting the industry-leading innovations in AI and cloud technology. He emphasized the increasing role of digital solutions and AI in meeting consumer needs, reducing food waste, and contributing to global food security.
Marco Colombo, Global Category Director Potatoes at TOMRA Food, emphasized how AI redefines the sorting game by improving precision and setting new standards for crop sorting technology.
The incorporation of AI features in sorting machines enhances image processing and classification, reflecting TOMRA’s commitment to advancing technology in the food industry.
TOMRA Food designs and manufactures sensor-based sorting machines and integrated post-harvest solutions transforming global food production to maximize food safety and minimize food loss.
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