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The Next Generation of Apple Grading - Ellips | Next Level Grading

Written by Levi Bakker | Sep 13, 2023 8:53:54 AM

The world of apple growers and packers is challenging. Batch qualities are variable; however, customers’ demands remain always on that same high-level.

1. Can you consistently match your apples with the demands?
2. Do you suffer from quality inconsistency due to extreme weather and growing conditions?
3️. Are you struggling to identify and sort out apples that have challenging defects?

Every challenge has its solution. It's time to unlock the power of Artificial Intelligence.

Delivering consistent quality, on time and at the best price. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers great opportunities to ensure superior quality at great speed. 

 

Why is True-AI changing the game for apple grading?

Increased profitability, significant cost savings and minimal labor required. Artificial intelligence (AI) provides opportunities to improve your grading process with intelligent automation. This technology takes over complex tasks from humans and provides new solutions that were previously impossible. With Ellips True-AI (AI - based on advanced deep learning algorithms), you can significantly improve your grading performance with more accurate and consistent grading results for your apples.

  1. True-AI gives you maximum returns, less waste and less labor required with powerful defect detection.
  2. This advanced technology offers you that perfect match, all day, every day. Perfectly graded produce, a 100% match with customer requirements, regardless of the batch quality.
  3. True-AI is your operator’s new best friend. With enhanced effectiveness, time savings and simplicity, your operator easily improves customer satisfaction and your reputation as a preferred supplier.

 

 

 

What are the most important benefits of True-AI?


✅ Outstanding grading improvements with the most challenging defects such as stem bowl cracks.

Your grading technology gets smarter every day. With grading performance moving towards 100% detection accuracy, you can fully trust the grading results.

✅ True-AI software has been trained to find defects all on its own, making your life easier.

 

The Power of AI in detecting challenging defects

Every apple is different. So is every defect. Internal and external defects occur in many ways. This makes it challenging to detect certain defects. Existing grading technology struggles with the spectrum of numerous defect combinations, limiting your batch's full potential.

See the unseen with an eye for the smallest details

With so many ways for defects to appear across every piece of
apple, it’s only through Ellips True-AI that can accurately model all these combinations. You can detect even the most challenging defects with an eye for the smallest details. This technology helps you with hard-to-detect defects such as stem bowl cracks, sunburn and russet.

Quality is a promise, regardless of batch quality

With True-AI, you can consistently guarantee the quality of your apples, no matter the quality
of the batch. AI gives you the flexibility to respond to different conditions and market demands.

 

 

See your grading technology getting smarter every day

Let's zoom in on how AI works. With True-AI, the algorithms are developed by using vast amounts of data of different apple varieties gathered all around the world. It is built with hundreds of thousands of reference images. By incorporating additional defect data on an ongoing basis, True-AI will be continually enriched with data. This data is collected from our large global customer base across different seasons and growing conditions. You can all benefit from this collective intelligence.

 

 

Can we make your life easier?

Yes, this technology is designed to make your life easier. Operator's tasks will be less complex and more automated. Less operator input is required because our True-AI software has been trained to find defects all on its own. You will have more time to focus on other important operational issues. As grading performance moves towards 100% detection accuracy, grading tasks can be done with minimal staff. Many of the grading parameters, previously created by the operator, can now be managed by the system. The True-AI algorithms work out-of-the-box so that you can apply them immediately without modification.

The best of both worlds: Human & Technology

The operator still has an important role to play. His/her expertise relates to the dynamic quality standards demanded by specific customers and markets. You want the best of both worlds. 1. An operator who has knowledge of apple quality characteristics. 2. This new grading technology to meet your customer's unique demands.

Shaping the future together with innovative growers

The next generation of apple grading is a sum of collective knowledge and experience. It’s built up through years of close cooperation with apple growers and packers around the world. Over these years, we gathered tons of data about all kinds of apple defects and grading challenges. With this data, collective knowledge and experience, we have been working on the development of our Ellips Artificial Intelligence Grading Technology solution.

How did this collective intelligence arise?

For the past 15 years, Ellips has partnered with innovative apple customers around the world. Together, we revolutionized grading, sorting and packing performance for apples. These innovative apple businesses delivered outstanding results using external and internal grading technology.

 

What were the key factors for this joint success?

  1. Excellent internal quality grading results across multiple apple varieties
  2. Outstanding external quality performance with full surface inspection
  3. Delivering unmatched throughput (tons/lane) of the Elisam Apple Grading Machine.

 

What will the future bring for you?

Innovations cannot stop; they enable the evolutions required to take your business to new groundbreaking levels. As such, innovation and continual product enhancement is the key to the long-term success of our customers.  The new technology True-AI significantly improved grading performance. This upgrade was rolled out at Apple King in the United States in December 2022. The results were outstanding. This good news is spreading fast. We are currently implementing True-AI at new clients and updating existing customers’ systems throughout the world. This includes Starr Ranch and River Valley Fruit in the USA. We will also be upgrading our existing customers’ systems throughout 2023 and beyond.

 

Are you ready for the next level?

Adopt the latest technology and improve your grading performance with True-AI. You can significantly improve your grading accuracy and consistency. This results in increased efficiency, reduced waste and increased profitability. You can be assured that each apple ends up at its rightful destination. This allows you to achieve maximum returns and the consistent quality desired by your customers. High-quality produce leads to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, giving you a competitive advantage in the market.