Tomra's LUCAi™ software for the InVision2 grading platform boosts efficiency and profitability for cherry packing plants with AI

The new LUCAi™ software for the InVision platform² incorporates TOMRA Deep Learning technology. This type of Artificial Intelligence brings value to the cherry packing process and introduces a new, intuitive interface that simplifies operation.

The growing global demand for cherries forces plants to process ever-increasing volumes. At the same time, they must maintain the high quality of their product. In this context, plant operators face numerous challenges to meet the demand and specifications of their customers, such as the wide variety of input product, the weather, the delicacy required for proper handling of cherries, and of course, the availability of labor. The new LUCAi™ software for the InVision classification platform² enables TOMRA Food customers to optimise their packaging process, increase their performance and efficiency, and ensure a product of the highest quality, with cherries sorted and graded with unbeatable precision thanks to its excellent vision system. 

A significant qualitative leap 

The new LUCAi™ software incorporates the latest advances in D technologyeep Learning TOMRA AI. It uses pre-trained models that teach computers how to treat data, including complex patterns from photos, to achieve unprecedented sorting accuracy. Developed by a team of scientists, engineers, researchers and industry-leading experts, this technology has been successfully applied to blueberry applications on the KATO260 and more recently to apples on the Spectrim X platform. TOMRA Food engineers combined their experience with their deep knowledge of cherry sorting, grading and packing to extend the benefits of LUCAi™ software to the InVision grading platform.².

Benedetta Ricci Iamino, Global Category Manager for cherries at TOMRA Food, explains: “LUCAi™ software for InVision² LUCAi™ represents a quantum leap in terms of grading accuracy. It improves profitability and reduces fruit waste while increasing plant productivity. In fact, LUCAi™ software enables TOMRA customers to process cherries at higher speeds (up to more than 15 % kg per hour per lane depending on customer conditions) and optimizes defect sorting. It helps them increase profitability per kilo of processed cherries, better than any other technology available on the market. LUCAi™ minimizes cherry waste, resulting in an improved brand image in the market, supported by high quality and consistency in the product offering. Another advantage is its new interface, which is very intuitive and allows operators to adapt to the technology quickly and easily.

The InVision smart calibration platform² with LUCAi™ software allows operators to optimize results, improve the quality and consistency of packed fruit, minimize waste and increase yield. 

It incorporates a type of Artificial Intelligence. Specifically, D technology.eep Learning TOMRA's technology for detecting all types of edge cracks, Pacman cherries (half cherries), impact damage in the suture area, as well as cosmetic defects and pedicel browning with millimetre precision.

LUCAi™ software has been fed with vast amounts of data collected from cherry growers around the world. Thanks to its “intelligence”, it can recognise patterns in cherries regardless of variety, quality and incoming conditions. This reduces the likelihood of good product accidentally ending up in lower quality categories. It also speeds up the process compared to manual sorting so that consistent, quality product can be delivered efficiently. 

This advanced software enables the grading platform to process high volumes, resulting in increased productivity and enabling a consistent product to be offered, regardless of the season, batches, cherry varieties and operators involved in the process. This is a major advantage for cherry packing plants, whose profitability depends largely on product quality, although it is precisely from this that the greatest challenges arise. 

Ready to use and prepared for the future

LUCAi™ software developed for InVision², the cherry grading platform, uses pre-trained models based on a wealth of data and insights collected over the past 5 years in various regions around the world. 

“It is important to understand that AI technology is an empty box that needs to be filled. Without a lot of good quality data, it is useless,” explains Benedetta. “This is where LUCAi™ stands out from other AI software on the market. It incorporates huge amounts of data that TOMRA has collected for over 5 years, pre-trained models using real images of our customers’ cherries, continuously developing the “brain” of LUCAi™, which refines its intelligence during the process. It is a ready-made solution that ensures excellent sorting and calibration performance when installed in our customers’ plant.” 

Furthermore, LUCAi™, while incorporating pre-trained models, can continue to evolve as it collects more data during operation at the customer’s plant, so it continues to learn. “It refines its intelligence and, consequently, becomes more powerful and more accurate over time,” says Benedetta. “It is ready for the future.”

With LUCAi™, cherry packing plants also benefit from TOMRA support. The service team helps them create customised models that address issues related to varieties and defects specific to their plant, so the platform is tailored to their precise needs and quality requirements.

Field proven effectiveness

“A key phase of TOMRA Food’s product development process is real-life testing with select customers,” explains Benedetta Ricci Iamino. “That’s exactly what we’ve done by extending our technology to the next level.” Deep Learning “LUCAi™ to cherries. We tested and validated it in both California and New Zealand over the past two seasons. This has allowed us to collect more data and work closely with our customers to help them create models that respond to their specific needs.”

In California (USA), Prima Frutta Packing TOMRA uses LUCAi™ technology in their cherry packing plant with excellent results. This has allowed them to increase efficiency in terms of production and packing (kg/hour/person) with the same number of employees, so they have been able to meet tight harvest deadlines and maintain the high quality of their product. This possibility is especially valuable in difficult seasons, such as last year, when cherries were harvested around 3 weeks later than usual and all ripened at the same time. They have successfully trained the LUCAi™ technology in their cherry packing plant. Deep Learning TOMRA’s solution to accurately detect defects such as powdery mildew, insect bites and rain cracks. All of these defects posed major challenges to their traditional sorting system. The intuitive operation of this TOMRA solution was also key for the customer. 

Tim Sambado, President of Prima Frutta Packing, is delighted with TOMRA’s LUCAi™ software: “It’s really exciting to see the evolution of the system. I think we’ve only just begun… and there are many more surprises in store.”

New LUCAi™ software for the InVision calibration platform² will be available on the market in the Southern Hemisphere for the 2024 cherry season, with more regions to follow.