Robots can perform task automatically (autonomous), with the guidance (semi-autonomous) or typically by remote Control (Remotely Controlled).

Another robot (robotic arm) is designed by the researchers of Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) for the poultry industry. I found this news very interesting that, the robot uses 3D-advanced imaging technology for deboning the chicken and other poultry products automatically.

The device is designed in such a manner, to produce a 3-D vision system that determines how to cut a particular bird (i.e. chicken, duck etc.) with precision. It can adjust itself according to the size and shape of the bird as it’s a sensor based Cutting Technology for poultry industry. It helps reaching at quality finished product and optimization of yield consequently.

Under the intelligent Deboning and Cutting System, a bird is brought across the vision system before making a cut on the bird. The vision-system takes 3-D measurement from different angles and makes points outside of the bird.

The Custom algorithms control and define proper cut by observing internal structure of the bird such as bone and ligaments. The system comes into contact with the bone and allows the knife to cut with precision all the ligaments around the joints without cutting into the bone itself. The same approach can be used for other parts where meat is to be separated from bone.

While studying the case study, a question raised in my mind, the question was; why the researchers of Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) invested time, money and put their efforts to find out some swift way to debone poultry items? And just after, as I studied ahead I found the answer.

Mr. Gary McMurray the chief of Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI’s) food processing technology Division, himself explained; “there were some very major factors in play in this project, he further said, “Their automated deboning technology can promote food safety, as bone chips are quite risky in boneless breast fillets, but it leads in increasing yield which is significant, as every 1% loss of breast meat represents around $50 million of Georgia’s 20 poultry processing plants as a whole and around $2.5 million each.”

Moreover, McMurray urges that he expects the Intelligent Deboning System to match or exceed the efficiency of the manual process. Testing of the intelligent Deboning System, including cutting experiments, has confirmed the system's ability to recognize bone during a cut and to avoid bone chips. Thus the demonstration went positive as expected from it.

As someone rightly said,”Necessity is the mother of invention.” When people really need to do something, they will figure out a way to do it.