The second reporting period has had a duration of 19 months (total duration of the project: 31 months).
After its initial testing, Prototype 1 was updated with a new air ejection system and analytical methods to create a prototype 1-BIS. This update was the fastest and most efficient way to achieve scheduled testing in the southern hemisphere during the project duration. Parallelly, prototype 2 was built with an enhanced vision system and was successfully tested in Spain. This testing phase was very useful to assess the efficiency of the upgrades prior to the launch of the commercial version: the industrial unit. Two industrial prototypes were manufactured to carry out validation tests during the season in Spain and Portugal to gain enough know-how in different kinds of cultivars (super intensive, traditional) and requirements.
The first industrial unit was installed in the receiving line of our Spanish tester, to be validated under real conditions during the harvesting and processing season. An additional second unit was assembled and installed in Portugal, where high impact of anthracnose was being detected in this 2020 season. Both units became highly successful, achieving efficiencies in the sorting of specific defects well above target (> 90%), and with a perfect matching of maturity index measurement and classification. Chemical and organoleptic analysis of the olive oils produced after sorting proved the potential to modulate the production of different profile olive oils from the same incoming product, and obtain a higher amount of high-quality EVOO. Users will be able to customize their olive oil production.
Multiscan facilities, production line and processes were prepared to industrialize the manufacturing of EVOOLUTION, along with the generation of all required supporting material and documentation, including users’. Post-sales service has been prepared, including a remote assistance service to support the users with instant, on-line adjustments if necessary.
We have achieved CE marking and comply with ISO regulation for all machinery and electrical parts. After an external risk evaluation, all necessary measures to avoid the detected risks have been taken.
We have submitted a patent request for some new technology employed in EVOOLUTION, with a foreseen resolution during 2022.
At pre-commercial level, Multiscan team focused in introducing EVOOLUTION to important olive oil producers all around the world. During this second reporting period we have radically adapted our diss&comm activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions by reinforcing our digital and verbal communication channels. We have created two videos to introduce EVOOLUTION to the big market, and generated extensive supporting visual documentation (videos, pictures) to resolve specific concerns of prospective clients regarding technology, installation, and servicing.
