Page 32 - FoodFocusThailand No.163 October 2019

SPECIAL FOCUS
SPECIAL FOCUS

Is the Trend Your Friend?

Outbreaks of food-borne illnesses are big news these days and they can often be traced back to an
unintentional breach in sanitizing procedures. The problem is that we are human. No matter how hard we
try, we still miss important details, a result of information overload in these high-tech times, and the fact that
repeatedly doing the same tasks, day after day, can lead to errors rooted in familiarity.

Robotics

and

Cleaning

Robots, on the other hand, operate best when doing repetitive Finding the Break-even Point
tasks while staying completely consistent every time. They don’t get Of course, Return On Investment (ROI) is only one key metric to
bored. Their minds do not drift. They just do the exact same thing, evaluating a purchase. Other key factors include the labor savings
each and every time. So handing responsibility for something as that might accrue, the usable life span of the robotic equipment, as
important as sanitizing and disinfecting can make a great deal of well as the on-going maintenance costs. With that information,
sense, while protecting the public from an outbreak of food-borne management can identify the predicted break-even point. From that
illness. point forward, the investment in robotics begins to return money to
the bottom line.
Robotics and Food Production
The first robots were used in manufacturing to lift hot metal pieces, Here Is A Hypothetical Example
and now that robotic equipment has evolved to the point of driving If a robotic purchase costs $50,000, and it does the work of two
cars and helping pilots fly commercial airliners, we have the people at twice their speed, plus it is expected to last five years,
confidence to let them loose in our facilities, as well. Some robotic then it has a “break-even point” of under one year, with a potential
equipment is made for cleaning, where they vacuum or scrub a floor. return on investment of about $200,000 over a five-year span. That’s
This kind of robotic equipment usually has solution tanks, recovery a 400% return over five years—not to mention the increased vigilance
tanks, pressure jets and wet-vacuuming systems. Other types of over food safety processes!
robotic equipment is used for disinfecting and/or sanitizing hospital Of course, there are other factors that increase the appeal of
rooms or food production areas. This kind of equipment often uses robotic equipment. Eliminating one outbreak has the potential to
UV disinfection or electro-static chemical fogging systems. cover the cost of an army of robots or, in fact, saving a company.
All of these “robots” move around an area gracefully, and just What’s the value of that?
do their job with no complaints, “bad hair” days, or unexpected The future of robotic equipment is fascinating and although some
absences. These newer robotic systems use a combination of people are concerned that there is a risk of AI machines superseding
cameras, sensors and computers to interpret the data about their the human race, they hold great promise for enhancing food safety
surroundings with a high degree of reliability, using a limited form for all.
of artificial intelligence (AI). But, are they affordable?

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