The meat sector is one of the most important in EU. Automation is a key in meeting food security and sovereignty in Europe. Traditional robotics and automation systems are too expensive, non-flexible and lack both scalability and robustness. A new pioneering automation concept advanced by scientists in the RoBUTCHER project, the Meat Factory Cell (MFC), has demonstrated a way to address these issues. This project has successfully developed and tested a high autonomous prototype MFC using core robotic technologies based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cognitive robotics.
RoBUTCHER is an innovative approach that gives an alternative to conventional line production in abattoirs via parallel production in autonomous MFCs. This is particularly relevant to small- and medium-scale producers, where it offers productivity scale-up and scale-down, based on demand. This technology is potentially disruptive, and the project has developed, produced and tested this innovation.
The results of RoBUTCHER are important for society, as they will enable robots with a higher degree of competence to enter the manufacturing space. Global development has increased attention on flexibility in meat processing. As the market for meat becomes increasingly international, product portfolios increase to meet the demand of new consumers. This is challenging for conventional solutions to handle and emphasises the need for RoBUTCHER. The inability to access robotics and automation by small and medium producers also exacerbates another ticking time-bomb in Europe, that is, availability of labour. Apart from economic considerations, robots will be required to overcome labour shortfalls, as well as contributing to making food processing safer, cleaner, and more sustainable. The recent pandemic and geopolitical events that affected the movement of workers and the food supply chain, have further accelerated the acceptance, and prepared the sector for deployment of novel RoBUTCHER technology. The results may also, with time, have impact for other sectors (e.g. other species such as beef, other foodstuffs, or entirely different materials) where handling materials with high variation and flexibility is important.
The overall objectives of RoBUTCHER were as follows:
1. Assessment of social, legislative and best practice meat industry requirements
2. Development of novel technology modules for autonomous cutting trajectory planning, and integration with human–robot interfaces which provides remote intervention and training opportunities
3. Adaptation of cutting tools to incorporate cognitive sensing, and development of gripping tools for grasping and manipulation of muscle, bone and internal organs
4. Implementation and demonstration of RoBUTCHER MFC in a pilot scale environment at Technology Readiness Level 6 (industrial prototype).
RoBUTCHER met the stated objectives. In conclusion, the results of RoBUTCHER are even more important for society than when the action began. Specifically, global events like the Covid pandemic and war in Ukraine demonstrated that food supply security is of paramount concern for society.
