Leading the Way: US Research Institutions Pioneer AI and Robotics in Poultry Processing
In the United States, four prominent research institutions are spearheading the development of artificial intelligence and robotics tailored for the poultry industry’s processing sector.
Supported by a generous $5 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, these research organizations have established the Center for Scalable and Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing.
Through collaborative efforts involving the University of Arkansas, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Fort State Valley University, this initiative aims to integrate artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics to revolutionize chicken meat processing operations and enhance sanitation practices.
With a major focus on food safety automation for poultry processing plants, the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, under the guidance of project director Jeyam Subbiah, will receive a substantial portion of the grant, amounting to $2.2 million.
This investment is a direct response to the urgent need for automation in chicken processing, which became evident during the Covid-19 pandemic when the rapid spread of illness among processing line workers created significant challenges in maintaining a sufficient workforce.
The poultry processing industry is poised to overcome these hurdles and usher in a new era of efficiency, productivity, and worker well-being by harnessing the potential of AI and robotics.
Source: Poultry World
