Grading platform boosts efficiency and profitability of cherry packing operations

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The continued rise in global demand for cherries puts packhouses under pressure to process increasingly large volumes while maintaining the high quality of their product. Significant variations in the infeed product, disruptive weather events, the careful handling that cherries require, and labor availability are some of the major challenges packers face as they strive to meet the demand and customers’ product specifications. The new LUCAi(tm) technology for the InVision2 grading platform allows them to optimize pack-out, increase yield and efficiencies, and ensure top-quality cherries with unparalleled accuracy in detecting defects.

The new LUCAi(tm) platform features the latest development of TOMRA’s Deep Learning technology, which uses pre-trained models to teach computers how to process data, such as complex patterns in photos, to achieve unprecedented grading precision. This technology was developed by a team of industry-leading scientists, engineers, researchers and experts, and applied successfully to blueberry and apple applications – on the KATO260 and most recently on the Spectrim X platforms respectively.


Benedetta Ricci Iamino, Global Category Director Cherries at TOMRA Food

Benedetta Ricci Iamino, Global Category Director Cherries at TOMRA Food says: “LUCAi(tm) for InVision2 represents a substantial leap forward in grading accuracy, enhanced pack-out returns while reducing food waste thanks to exceptionally low good-in-bad and bad-in-good ratios, and higher productivity. The LUCAi(tm) platform, in fact, allows customers to process cherries at a higher speed (+15% kg per hour per lane) while optimizing defect sorting. It helps them to achieve higher returns per kg packed than any other technology available today, reducing their food waste, and enhancing their reputation for consistent quality in the markets. Another advantage is its new interface, which is very user-friendly, making it easy and quick for operators to adapt to the technology.”

“A key phase in TOMRA Food’s product development process is testing in the field, in real conditions with customers,” explains Benedetta Ricci Iamino. “We tested and validated it in California and New Zealand, during the past two seasons, collecting more data and working with our customers to help them build models to address their specific issues.”

In California, USA, Prima Frutta Packing have been using TOMRA’s LUCAi(tm) technology in their cherry packing operation, enabling them to increase production and packing efficiencies (kg per hour per person) with the same workforce, allowing them to keep up with the short cherry harvest window while maintaining the high quality of their product.

Tim Sambado, President of Prima Frutta Packing: “It’s really exciting to see how the system is going to evolve. I think we’ve just scratched the surface. I think there’s a lot more ahead of us.”

The new LUCAi(tm) for InVision2 grading platform will be available on the market in the Southern Hemisphere for the 2024 cherry season, with other regions to follow.

Michelle Haynes

Tomra Food

Tel. : +64 21 377 141

Email: michelle.haynes@tomra.com

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Source: The Plantations International Agroforestry Group of Companies