End-to-end digitalised production test beds

Diagnosis of the food industry

The digitalisation and further processing of data through advanced tools can be of a great help in the decision-making process, leading to the interconnection of processes in what it is called smart processing methods. The European food industry is, however, still far from reaping up all the benefits of Artificial Integecente technologies, despite Europe having developed a robust computing infrastructure. 

Digital transformation is specially challenging for the food industry, where more than 90% of the companies are SMEs with limited resources and/or digital capabilities. 

To better understand the current situation, EIT Food together with several partners has gathered information on the level of digitalisation and use of Artificial Intelligence by the European food industry. A survey was sent to SMEs across Europe targeting the whole food value chain, from the primary to the retail sectors. In adition, several use-cases from market leaders have been gathered to understand the challenges gathered by the industry and the overall perception. 

One of the key findings was that access to practical learning environments, the so called test beds, where SMEs can gain hands-on experience and get to understand the potential retun on investment is a key driver for the digital transformation of any industry, and the overall adoption of Artificial Intelligence tools. 

Download the report to find out all the conclusions of the survey!

Selected testbeds

iFishCan - Intelligent Food Loss & Waste Monitoring for Fish Canning Industry

The testbed project iFishCan aims at create the the first mobile, low cost and reliable food waste and loss monitor, designed for the fish canning industry.

Project parters: AI Talentum, AZTI, foodintech, INESCTEC.

SAIFE- Safety testbeds through AI visiton for food production environment

The testbed project SAIFE aims at improving safety in intralogistic transports in the food industry by means of an innovative optical real time locating systems (RTLS). Different testbeds will be built up in both university and industrial environments.

Project parters: AI Talentum, art21, Technishe Universität Braunschweig, University of Twente.

TFOOD - Teaching factory for the food industry

TFOOD showcases how advanced manufacturing technologies, such as collaborative robots, and Industry 4.0 technologies, such as artificial intelligence and internet of things, can support the diary products industry at different phases of the product lifecycle.

Project parters: emphasis DigiWorld, LMS, Mevgal, Prima Additive.