Description du projet
Numériser le contrôle de la qualité des aliments pour prévenir le gaspillage
La moitié des fruits et légumes produits chaque année n’est jamais mangée. En réalité, ils enregistrent les taux les plus élevés de gaspillage de tous les types d’aliments. Il est possible d’inverser cette tendance. Le projet ImpactVision, financé par l’UE, mènera une étude de faisabilité sur une nouvelle technologie d’imagerie hyperspectrale destinée à la chaîne d’approvisionnement alimentaire. Conçue pour les entreprises de transformation des aliments, les fabricants, les distributeurs et les détaillants, cette technologie peut être utilisée pour améliorer la qualité des denrées, générer des produits homogènes et réduire le gaspillage. Par exemple, elle peut évaluer la fraîcheur des poissons, la maturité des avocats ou la présence d’objets étrangers de manière instantanée et non invasive. Plus particulièrement, la technologie d’imagerie est capable de mesurer en temps réel des données relatives à la qualité des aliments – des éléments invisibles à l’œil nu.
Objectif
ImpactVision is a machine learning company, applying advanced imaging technology to food supply chains in order to improve food quality, generate consistent products and reduce waste. Our software provides insights about the quality of foods and is aimed at food processors, manufacturers, distributors and retailers. For example, our system is able to determine the freshness of fish, the ripeness of avocados or the presence of foreign objects rapidly, non-invasively and at production grade speeds.
Hyperspectral imaging technology captures information our eyes cannot, in other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Our goal is to provide objective, real-time food quality data to the 30,000+ food processing facilities across the USA and improve efficiency of the global food supply chain. Currently, a third of all food produced is wasted. To illustrate the environmental impact at scale, managing food waste sustainably could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 500 million tonnes - the equivalent of taking all the cars off the road in the European Union. By digitizing food quality control, we improve yields and prevent waste, whilst increasing food companies’ revenues, which is particularly prescient considering the industry has razor thin profit margins.
ImpactVision combines a hyperspectral sensor installed above a conveyor belt with software that analyzes images and provides real time insights about quality.
By pursuing the present feasibility study, the management team aims to improve its understanding of international market conditions and the associated risks that need to be considered as the company develops a deeper business plan for rolling out, and scaling up ImpactVision as a marketable innovative solution. SME Instrument Phase-1 and Phase-2 will be extremely beneficial in helping the company to accelerate development and market penetration of the solution in target segments, boosting the company’s growth to 94 employees and $109M revenues by 2024.
Champ scientifique
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsoptical sensors
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencecomputer visionobject detection
- engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesfood technologyfood safety
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringinformation engineeringtelecommunicationsmobile phones
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learning
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinateur
NG18 1BL MANSFIELD
Royaume-Uni
L’entreprise s’est définie comme une PME (petite et moyenne entreprise) au moment de la signature de la convention de subvention.