Robots Enhance Efficiency in Australian Beef Processing

In a pioneering move, collaborative robots are undergoing trials at JBS Australia’s Scone processing plant in New South Wales, pushing boundaries in beef processing.

These “collabots,” designed for close human interaction, aim to streamline the high-volume task of picking and packing vacuum-sealed beef primals, marking a significant advancement in meat processing technology.

The project, a joint effort between the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), JBS Australia, and tech firm TME Systems, seeks to reduce manual handling and improve worker safety.

AMPC’s Stuart Shaw highlighted the sophisticated AI-enabled sensing systems guiding the robots. “The benefit is improved accuracy,” he noted, as the AI helps precisely identify, orient, and position cuts within cartons, making packing faster and more precise.

JBS Australia’s Sean Starling, head of innovation, praised the project’s initial success, remarking, “JBS continues to look forward to working with TME Systems and AMPC to see how far this technology can be pushed.”

The development has already generated concepts for integrating multiple robotic cells, augmenting the plant’s pick-and-pack system without replacing human roles.

Volker Brendel, a robotics engineer with TME Systems, added that recent advances in AI have been key to achieving accurate primal cut identification.

“Identifying primal cuts would not have been possible previously,” he stated, hinting at the technology’s potential for broader industry deployment.

This project is part of AMPC’s broader strategy to maintain Australia’s top-tier global reputation for quality meat. With ongoing developments, the red meat sector stands at the edge of a more efficient, AI-driven future.

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