Cherry packers in California and New Zealand have implemented Tomra’s AI-powered LUCAi technology with good results, according to a news release. The technology integrates with Tomra’s InVision2 grading platform.
Prima Frutta Packing, Linden, Calif., and New Zealand-based Dunstan Hills and Panmure Orchards have increased production and packing efficiencies while minimizing waste and maintaining product quality, according to the release.
LUCAi for the InVision2 cherry grading platform comes with vast amounts of data collected by Tomra in different regions worldwide, building pretrained models using real images of cherries, the company says.
The technology uses Tomra’s deep-learning technology to identify an extensive range of defects — from edge cracks, Pacman cherries, open sutures, cosmetic blemishes and stem pulls to spurs, cracks and all defects around the stem; from dehydration to apical splits; and it will recognize colors in the ripe phase with precision, the release said.
LUCAi’s interface software helps the customer’s operators to improve sorting and grading performance from their processing line, the release said.
“It allows us to make changes and gives us accurate data on how it is going to impact our grading before we apply the change,” Tim Sambado, president of Prima Frutta, said in the release. “This means that the operators can do things with much more confidence and quickly. They don’t have to do a lot of sampling and testing before they can apply a change because they get the data immediately.”
Jeremy Hiscock, managing director for Panmure Orchards, said in the release that the company has seen a significant increase in the quality of machine-graded fruit with LUCAi.
