Objective
The fruit and vegetable processing market is growing exponentially driven by the increasing demand of frozen products,
juices and ready-to-use products. In this context, industries that process very sensitive fruits are facing great difficulties/
challenges to increase their competitiveness. Indeed, this segment is unable to fully benefit from the industrial technologies
like automation and artificial vision - already used in other segments - to increase the productivity, the quality and the safety
of the final product as well as working conditions.
Attempts have been made for this purpose but solutions proposed until now are not enough automated resulting in low
processing cadence and thus, high payback period of the machine.
In order to address these concerns, Orizon Vision and AcessoMatic combined their skills, respectively in artificial vision and
automation, to develop an innovative machine able to automatically manipulate and cut the green zone or calyx of at least
10-12 strawberries of all caliber per second. In this case, our artificial vision software will identify with precision by colour the
cutting zone on the strawberry duplicating the processing cadence of existing solutions. By reaching first the strawberry
market that increased 16% a year in the last 10 years, our goal is to expand this technology to the processing of other very
delicate fruits or vegetables like persimmons, figs, peaches, etc.
This innovation project constitutes a great opportunity for the participating companies, Orizon Vision and AcessoMatic, to
develop a high value and disruptive solution which can reinforce their position in the market and increase their visibility
around the world. For that purpose, we need to refined and matured our initial business plan. Hence, the feasibility study
would significantly leverage our business proposition to reach the market and enhance the possibility of successfully
applying to Phase 2 in the SME Instrument in order to demonstrate our machine.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technology
- social scienceseconomics and business
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturefruit growing
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturehorticulturevegetable growingroot crops
- social scienceseconomics and businessbusiness and managementcommerce
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
3800 007 AVEIRO
Portugal
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.