KPM Analytics has introduced the SiftAI Robotic Sorter, an automated system designed for the final inspection and sorting of fresh-pack potatoes. Developed under its Smart Vision Works brand, the system addresses challenges in the potato processing industry, including labor shortages, grading inaccuracies, and product waste.
The SiftAI Robotic Sorter combines a delta robot with an AI-based vision inspection system. This technology evaluates potatoes for defects such as bruises, cracks, discoloration, and other imperfections. Installed above a roller table, the system captures comprehensive digital images of each potato from multiple angles. These images are processed through a neural network to identify items outside acceptable grading standards. Defective potatoes are then removed by robotic arms capable of handling 80-100 picks per minute in configurations with two robots.
Testing has shown the system’s ability to reduce grading errors and minimize waste. According to KPM Analytics, human inspectors often reject 10-20% of marketable potatoes while allowing up to 5% of defective products to pass, the maximum allowable threshold under U.S. Department of Agriculture standards. The SiftAI system aims to improve upon these outcomes by enhancing accuracy and reducing waste, which can increase profitability and improve customer satisfaction.
The company highlights the economic impact of the system, which addresses labor challenges while reducing costs associated with human error and waste. KPM Analytics states that the technology can achieve a return on investment in less than two years, offering a practical solution for processors managing rising labor costs and narrow profit margins.
Curtis Koelling, vice president of product development and innovation for Smart Vision Works, noted the financial pressures facing potato processors in North America, including oversupply and increasing labor expenses. He suggested that adopting automated solutions like SiftAI could reduce production costs and offer a competitive advantage.
The SiftAI Robotic Sorter employs AI technology developed over more than a decade and specifically tailored to the potato industry. Unlike systems that rely on optical scanners, it uses full digital imaging combined with neural network processing to enhance defect detection and grading accuracy.
This system provides an automated approach to potato processing, addressing industry challenges while aiming to improve operational efficiency and product quality.
