A fully automated fruit sorting and packaging process
In Dutch fruit cultivation, many tasks—from harvesting to packaging—are still performed manually. At the same time, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find enough personnel for these activities. Dark Fruit Factory is changing this by deploying smart technologies such as robots, cobots, and AI. This results in more efficient, sustainable, and hygienic fruit processing, while maintaining quality and reducing waste.
Background Use Case 14
A fully automated and sustainable production line for fruit processing
The Dark Fruit Factory focuses on developing an advanced production line that uses robotics, vision technology, and AI to sort, package, and process both hard and soft fruits. The goal is to set a new global standard in fruit processing—minimizing waste, extending product shelf life, and reducing water usage. Thanks to hands-free processing, production becomes more efficient, hygienic, and sustainable.
‘With the latest technologies, we make sorting and packaging more efficient, more sustainable, and fully automated.’
Public summaries Use Case 14
Intermediate validation test deep learning
Added value for the ecosystem and the sector
Smarter and more sustainable fruit processing
The Dark Fruit Factory brings together expertise in fruit sorting, vision systems, robotics, AI, and storage. Thanks to its location in the Betuwe—the heart of Dutch fruit cultivation—innovations can be tested directly in practice and rapidly advanced.
Deliverables Use Case 14
Efficient and flexible production processes
Packaging robots for various fruit types, such as apples, pears, avocados, tomatoes, and peaches
AI-driven detection of defects in fruit
Hygienic and easy-to-clean sorting machines
Efficient supply and processing of fruit
Data integration for optimized sorting management
Added value for Human Capital
New expertise in automated food processing
The biggest challenge in the sector is finding sufficient labor for fruit processing. This project reduces reliance on manual labor through a fully automated sorting and packaging system. As a result, the demand for physical labor decreases, while the need for operators and technicians to monitor and optimize processes increases. This enhances the sector's appeal to technically skilled workers and contributes to a more sustainable employment perspective within the agrifood industry.
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