Page 81 - FoodFocusThailand No.223 October 2024

STORAGE, HANDLING & LOGISTICS

7. Reporting and Alerts: AI can generate real-time reports 3. Central Processing Unit (CPU) or AI Processors
and issue alerts when abnormalities occur or when values The CPU or AI processors serve as the core of AI technology,
deviate from predefined limits. responsible for analyzing data from sensors and making
decisions regarding environmental adjustments. AI processors
Factors Affecting the Preservation of Vegetables can utilize general-purpose processors, such as a Central
and Fruits Processing Unit (CPU), Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), or
1. Temperature: Managing and controlling the appropriate specialized AI processors like Neural Processing Units (NPUs)
temperature is crucial for preserving fruits and vegetables. AI to ensure rapid and efficient data processing.
can regulate the temperature to prevent spoilage of fruits and 4. Embedded Control Systems Embedded control
vegetables. systems are small computers that manage the operations of
2. Respiration Rate: Vegetables and fruits with high various devices within a controlled environment. These systems
respiration rates tend to deteriorate faster. Controlling the can either be pre-configured or work in tandem with AI that
environment using IoT technology can slow respiration and learns from real-time data. They control the functioning of
ripening, such as by adjusting carbon dioxide and oxygen sensors and automated machinery in the storage environment.
levels, etc. 5. Data Storage and Processing Systems AI-powered
3. Relative Humidity: Sensors can regulate the relative controlled environments require a data storage system capable
humidity in storage rooms to reduce weight loss in fruits and of recording sensor data. This enables AI to analyze the data
vegetables. and perform machine learning. The data can be stored on local
4. Atmospheric Gases: Controlling the ratio of gases, servers or cloud systems for deep data analysis and learning.
such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, in storage environments 6. Networking and Communication Systems AI needs
plays a key role in slowing the respiration rate of fruits and to connect with devices via networking systems, which may
vegetables. use wireless communication technologies such as Wi-Fi or
Applications of IoT and AI in Fruit and Vegetable Zigbee or wired connections like Ethernet. This ensures rapid
Storage data communication between sensors, controllers, and
IoT plays a vital role in connecting sensors in storage rooms processors for efficient system operations.
to data management systems. Data collected from sensors 7. AI and Machine Learning Software The software that
is transmitted to AI for analysis, which then adjusts the storage governs AI operations is responsible for processing data,
environment in real-time. For instance, if a sensor detects an analyzing conditions, and making decisions to adjust
elevated temperature, the system will activate cooling environmental controls. This software can be installed on
equipment to maintain optimal conditions. AI can also predict various devices or hosted on the cloud, allowing it to evaluate
the deterioration of produce based on historical data, helping and optimize processes based on changes in the environment.
businesses plan product distribution with precision. From the information provided, it can be concluded that the
Implementing AI requires various equipment for processing integration of all these technologies enables AI-controlled
and controlling the storage environment. The key devices environments to function efficiently. The system can
used include: automatically and swiftly respond to environmental changes,
1. Sensors Sensors are devices used to detect ensuring optimal conditions with minimal human intervention.
environmental data and transmit it to AI technology for
analysis. Various types of sensors are commonly used in Case Study: Mango Storage Using IoT and AI
controlled storage environments, including: Technology
• Temperature Sensors: For monitoring the temperature Mangoes are a vital fruit for Thailand’s economy, but they face
within the room. the challenge of rapid deterioration during storage. This is
• Humidity Sensors: For detecting the moisture levels in because mangoes are classified as climacteric fruits, meaning
the air. their respiration rate significantly increases as they ripen,
• Gas Sensors: For measuring oxygen, carbon dioxide, leading to quick spoilage and a short storage life. To address
and other relevant gases. this issue, the concept of Intelligent Storage has been
• Pressure Sensors: For monitoring the air or liquid implemented to control the storage environment. Mangoes
pressure in the system. require precise control of temperature, ideally around 13°C,
2. Controllers Controllers receive data from sensors and and relative humidity between 85-90%. IoT technology
transmit it to AI systems to adjust conditions within the storage continuously monitors and stabilizes the storage environment,
room. These controllers work in conjunction with mechanical while AI analyzes the collected data to regulate respiration
devices, such as: rates and slow down the ripening process. This results in an
• Cooling Systems: To regulate the refrigeration system, extended storage life for mangoes compared to traditional
maintaining suitable conditions for produce storage. storage methods without the use of intelligent storage
• HVAC Systems: To control air circulation and filtration systems.
within the storage room.
• Humidifiers/Dehumidifiers: To adjust humidity levels in
the storage room.
• Gas Control Systems: To manage and control the levels
of various gases in the storage room, ensuring optimal More Information Service Info C012
conditions for produce preservation.

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