Page 59 - FoodFocusThailand No.229 April 2025

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The food and beverage industry
are facing significant challenges,
including labor shortages, rising
production costs, and increasing
consumer demands for higher
quality and safer products. Robotics
technology plays a crucial role
in enhancing efficiency, reducing
costs, and elevating production
standards. Moreover, it is a key
factor in business competitiveness,
enabling the food industry to
effectively tackle these challenges.

Revolutionizing the Food and Beverage

Industry with Intelligent Robotics

Case Study: Robotics Technology in Food and Integrating Technology and Robotics: Driving
Beverage Manufacturing the Food Industry into the Future
One of the major advancements in robotics technology is the Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision
development of robots with interchangeable gripper, allowing technologies are being integrated with robotics to create
them to adapt to different tasks. This innovation enhances more intelligent and autonomous systems. For example, AI-
production flexibility. For example, in a traditional 5-step production powered robots can inspect the quality of raw materials in
process, each step requires a dedicated workspace with specific production lines and automatically sort out non-standard
tools, necessitating the movement and transfer of products between products. This reduces waste and enhances product quality.
stations. This results in time loss and increases operational costs. Furthermore, in the future, robots will be able to learn and
However, by utilizing robots with interchangeable gripper, all 5 adapt independently through machine learning technology
steps can be completed within a single production station. This which enable them to operate with even greater precision
reduces the required production space to just one-fifth of the original and flexibility.
process, minimizing space usage and decreasing the need for Robotic technology helps build a trustworthy image and
material handling. promotes consumer confidence in products. When comparing
For bread and bakery production lines, robots can be similar products, consumers are willing to pay more because
equipped with specially designed gripper to handle trays, arrange they trust the safety standards and value of the product.
bread, and place trays into high-temperature ovens without Regarding investment, the cost of robotics technology has
damaging the baked goods. Additionally, the grippers can be significantly decreased and also helps modernize processes.
switched to dispensing nozzles for precise filling of pastry fillings Additionally, the government has policies to promote and
or decorating baked goods as required. In cases where heavier support the use of robotics technology in manufacturing
materials, such as boxes of packaged baked goods, need to be processes. There are also government agencies and
handled, the robot can switch to an appropriate gripper to efficiently organizations that provide support and guidance on the
lift and stack the boxes onto pallets. installation of robots in systems, such as the Thai Automation
In the beverage industry, robots can immediately switch & Robotics Association (TARA).
between bottle-clamping gripper and carton-lifting gripper, allowing However, robotics technology is not intended to completely
them to perform multiple tasks without requiring a large human replace human labor but rather to serve as a tool that supports
workforce. The technology will allow production facilities to quickly sustainable business growth. This shift allows humans to
adjust their production lines, reducing the time required for changing focus on tasks that require creativity and decision-making.
parts and equipment, thereby improving overall production At the same time, jobs that demand high precision, involve
efficiency. high risks, or require rapid execution can be efficiently handled
Furthermore, manufacturers that integrate robotics into their by robots.
production processes can significantly reduce labor costs and The food and beverage industry are entering a new era
minimize waste caused by human errors. Robots can operate 24/7 driven by innovation, with robotics technology being a key
without the need for breaks, ensuring continuous production and factor that enables businesses to compete in a rapidly
reducing the cost per unit in the long run. For example, in automated changing market, both domestically and against international
packaging processes, robots work quickly and precisely, placing producers with similar products. Therefore, investing in such
products onto pallets in an organized manner without causing technology not only enhances the efficiency of current
damage. This contrasts with human labor, where errors and production processes but also prepares the food industry for
damages are more likely to occur. Additionally, one of the key the long-term future.
advantages of using robotics in the food and beverage industry is
maintaining safety and hygiene standards. Robots can operate in
environments requiring high cleanliness, reducing direct human More Information Service Info C012
contact and minimizing the risk of contamination from unwanted
bacteria. APR 2025 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND 59

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