Robotics in Food Manufacturing Industry in the Industry 4.0 Era

Abstract

Robotics is used in food manufacturing in multiple processes. Prominent existing applications are: preparation of soil, seeding, water sprinklers, harvest controlling, cutting the harvests, food extractions, processing, packaging, loading/unloading, food warehouse operations, and food retail operations. Robots enhancements in Industry 4.0 framework have enabled cognitive and collaboration capabilities related to dynamics, kinematics, self-diagnostics, and self-control. Robots can identify and change their robotic hands as per process requirement. Robotics in food manufacturing is used to improve food quality and hygiene, increasing quality and its consistency, improving process performance, improving production rate and productivity, production reconfigurability, improving supply chain resilience and responsiveness, improving food traceability, reducing food loss and wastage, and improving workplace safety. Industry 4.0 allows robotic cyber physical systems (RCPS), HMI interfacing with robots through augmented reality thus ensuring remote real time precision monitoring and control of field robots. Robots with attached cameras with machine learning for image visualization analytics can ensure quality assurance and control of food products during all the stages of the food manufacturing logistics. The key drivers for adopting robotics in food manufacturing are cloud manufacturing, Internet of Things (attached with robotic controller cards), virtual reality simulations, augmented reality for HMI controls, additive manufacturing in food processing, integration of Industry 4.0 systems (IoT with blockchains, edge computing, big data analytics, and machine learning), and autonomous automation software. Robotics in food manufacturing using Industry 4.0 capabilities is a positive change. However, there are ethical and financial challenges. Increased usage of robotics can affect employment of food harvesting and manufacturing workers in developed as well as developing economies. Further, economics of using robotics in food manufacturing is not yet justified in developing nations given the high initial costs and prolonged time to break even. Overall, robotics in food manufacturing using Industry 4.0 has many technical and production advantages but ethical and financial viability is an ongoing research domain.