News on Automation and Robotics

Polysense has opened its first US office in Chicago to serve food manufacturers across the US and Canada, expanding its AI-driven quality control and process optimization solutions for potato, bakery, and fruit and vegetable processing.

Croptimal has launched the tractor-mounted Croptiscan 3000, using camera and recognition technology to detect PVY and leaf roll early in seed potato crops, providing smaller growers with an alternative to fully self-driving machines.

Belgian AI technology company Polysense has raised USD 10.7 million to expand its AI-powered quality control and process optimisation solutions, helping food manufacturers reduce waste, improve yield, and automate real-time production decisions.

Digitalization, precision machinery, and AI are reshaping potato production. The article highlights advances in planting, crop care, harvesting, storage, and optical sorting that improve efficiency, quality, and labor productivity.

Around 70 Dutch seed potato growers watched an autonomous robot identify virus-infected plants during a field demonstration. The robot marks infected plants for easier manual removal, while automated removal is being explored for future versions.

Artificial intelligence is expected to play an increasingly important role on Canadian farms as the federal government launches a new national strategy aimed at accelerating AI adoption across key sectors, including agriculture.

Secondary packaging in 2026 focuses on sustainability, retail-ready designs, recyclable variety packs, and robotics. BPA supports food producers with efficient, cost-saving automation while ensuring EPR compliance and optimized machine TCO.

Intralox and Conveyor & Automation Technologies modernized Herr Foods end-of-line operations, boosting throughput 25% to 150 cpm, expanding to 20 lines and 600 SKUs, saving USD 650k+ annually, and improving safety—within the existing footprint.

Fruit Logistica 2026 (4–6 Feb, Berlin) brings the global fresh fruit industry together with six expert stages, 200 speakers and multilingual talks, covering markets, farming, technology, logistics and future innovation.

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026 (4–6 Feb, Berlin) gathers the global fresh produce industry for innovation, networking, and market insights. With 2,500+ exhibitors, expert forums, tech showcases, and the 20th Innovation Award, it drives the future of fresh produce.

Robotics, imaging, sensors and data-driven tools will lead fruit and vegetable innovation at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2026. The FRUTIC Science Symposium on 6 February will highlight advances shaping global horticultural production and postharvest management.

xFarm Technologies, a Swiss digital agriculture specialist, will participate in Agritechnica 2025 in Hanover (Nov 9–15). At stand D32, Hall 21, the company will showcase new digital, AI-driven and IoT solutions for smarter, sustainable farming.

PACE Mechanical Handling now includes AI-powered performance monitoring as standard in its packing machines, offering free alerts for maintenance needs. This new 'Gateway' feature ensures peace of mind for fresh produce and potato packers.

Bem Brasil optimized logistics with Mecalux automation, boosting frozen food storage to 550,000+ tons/year. Two new warehouses improved efficiency, traceability, and cut waste.

Efficiently manage crop storage with Mooij Agro’s Smart Cooling Manager—monitor and control each cooling cell, auto-prioritize capacity, and integrate seamlessly with all units via Croptimiz-r®. Ideal for post-CIPC potato storage.

Robots in potato farming help ease labor shortages, cut costs, and boost yields by automating tasks like planting and harvesting. Paired with smart tools like crop monitoring, they improve efficiency, reduce waste, and support sustainable farming.

Case IH will be the exclusive tractor sponsor at PotatoEurope 2025 on 3-4 September in Lelystad. With 17 years of partnership, it remains a key player in the potato sector. This year, the focus will be on live demos and FieldOps™ telematics solutions.

Calbee, Inc. has announced that its newly constructed Setouchi Hiroshima Factory in Hiroshima City will commence operations on January 13, 2025. This facility is Calbee's first new factory in Japan in nearly 19 years.