Introduction
The potato industry is witnessing a significant technological advancement with the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) in the grading process. SiftAI, a pioneering company in this field, has developed a robotic sorter that promises to revolutionize the final inspection of potatoes, potentially increasing profits through more accurate grading compared to human inspectors.
The Challenge in Potato Grading
Fresh-pack potato processors have long faced difficulties in staffing the final inspection stage of potato sorting and grading. Even when adequately staffed, human error often results in defective potatoes reaching customers and acceptable potatoes being unnecessarily discarded. This inefficiency not only impacts product quality but also affects the bottom line of potato processing operations.
SiftAI’s Innovative Solution
SiftAI’s robotic sorter combines cutting-edge robotics with an AI-powered vision inspection system. The system is designed to be installed over existing lines, making it easy to integrate into current operations. It performs the following functions:
- Scans potatoes for defects
- Assesses size and grade
- Identifies and ejects defective potatoes with precision
Advanced Technology at Work
SiftAI’s solution employs a sophisticated approach:
- Uses state-of-the-art hardware and AI software
- Allows shed operators to specify acceptable percentages for each defect type
- Gathers accurate size and grade estimates
- Sends potatoes to designated drops based on quality assessment
The system is faster and more reliable than human inspection and other sorting systems while being a fraction of the cost.
Defect Identification Capabilities
SiftAI can identify a wide range of defects, including:
- Misshapen potatoes (banana, heart, knob, pear, and others)
- Green coloration
- Growth cracks
- Mud
- New bruises
- Old bruises
- Pressure bruises
- Rhizoctonia
- Rot
- Sprouts
- Frozen potatoes
Impact on Industry Standards
The potato industry aims to maintain defective potatoes reaching customers below 5%. However, human inspectors typically discard 10% to 20% of acceptable potatoes, leading to reduced profits. SiftAI’s robotic sorter has shown promising results in significantly reducing both missed defects and misgraded potatoes.
Benefits of AI-Powered Grading
The implementation of AI in potato grading offers several advantages:
- Increased accuracy in defect detection
- Reduction in waste of acceptable potatoes
- Consistent grading quality, unaffected by human factors like fatigue
- Potential for increased profits due to more efficient sorting
- Addressing labor shortage issues in the industry
About SiftAI
SiftAI is an innovative technology company specializing in AI-powered solutions for the agriculture industry. The company is a part of KPM Analytics, headquartered in Orem, Utah.
Conclusion
The introduction of AI-powered robotic sorters like SiftAI’s system marks a significant step forward in the potato processing industry. By combining the speed of automation with the precision of artificial intelligence, these systems promise to enhance product quality, reduce waste, and potentially increase profitability for potato processors. With its widespread adoption in the Idaho Potato Market and its ability to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, SiftAI is at the forefront of this innovation, setting new standards for efficiency and quality in the agricultural processing sector.
