AI-driven beef scribing technology has been trialled at two Australian processing facilities, with the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) supporting the development of fully automated robotic beef scribing systems as part of wider automation efforts in red meat processing.
The technology was developed by Intelligent Robotics in partnership with processors Kilcoy Global Foods (KGF) and Australian Meat Group (AMG) and has been trialled under commercial conditions at KGF’s Kilcoy facility and AMG’s Cootamundra plant in New South Wales.
Beef scribing is the first step in carcase breakdown and is traditionally one of the most highly skilled, physically demanding and safety critical tasks on the processing floor. The AI enabled system uses machine vision and robotics to identify cutting points and perform scribing with a high level of consistency, removing the need for manual saws.
AMPC program manager advanced manufacturing Stuart Shaw said completing trials at two different processing sites provides insight into how the technology performs across operating environments.
“Having two variants of the development in full production at both Kilcoy and AMG gives the industry much clearer visibility on performance, integration requirements and what adoption could look like in practice for processors considering automation in safety critical or highly skilled roles to improve efficiencies,” Shaw said.
At AMG, the system has been operating for around nine months at the company’s Cootamundra facility, which can accommodate advanced processing technologies.
“The trial is at its midpoint,” said AMG managing director Gilbert Cabral.
“We moved forward based on the potential yield benefits, and the initial results are already demonstrating that we can achieve significantly greater detail in our specifications. As the trial continues, further data collection and analysis will build on these outcomes.”
At Kilcoy Global Foods, the technology has been operating for a longer period and has informed further automation investment.
“More than 90 per cent of carcases are now being cut to within millimetres of the target line, a critical step in setting the boning room up for success,” said KGF Australia president Jiah Falcke.
“It reduces variation, improves ergonomics for downstream teams and ensures customers receive product that consistently meets specifications. Our customers open their boxes and notice the difference, we’re getting great feedback.”
An independent third party cost benefit analysis of the Kilcoy installation found the automated scribing system delivers a gross benefit in line with the original project scope and achieves the estimated payback period.
“Kilcoy is invested in the next stage of robotics. The project is opening doors for other AI opportunities in our industry, not just for beef, for lamb too,” Falcke said.
Technology provider Intelligent Robotics said the project demonstrates how AI and robotics can be applied to complex processing tasks previously considered difficult to automate.
Intelligent Robotics director Clyde Campbell said the system was designed in collaboration with processors to address on plant challenges.
“When we embarked on the first development, it was to help processors increase yield by improving cutting accuracy,” Campbell said.
“Processors identified the need to have the primal cuts in the right location. If you get the scribing cuts very accurate, the improvements flow all the way through to the boning room.”
Independent validation undertaken during the project confirmed the system can achieve high levels of cutting accuracy across a wide range of carcase sizes and conditions while operating at commercial line speeds.
“It’s about delivering safer, smarter and more valuable outcomes quality every time,” Campbell added.
The beef scribing project forms part of AMPC’s broader advanced manufacturing program, which focuses on safety, productivity and long term competitiveness for Australia’s red meat processors.