The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
New data logger is cream of the crop, says gold award winner
POST-HARVEST: Device aims to help minimise damage to vulnerable produce
Digital logging of “impact points” in crop harvesting, grading, handling, packaging and transport systems aims to help minimise bruising and other damage to vulnerable produce.
The Future Innovation gold award winning ImpacTrack data logger from Martin Lishman has the potential to reduce food waste and improve the quality of UK-grown produce.
This cube-shaped data logger can be encased in a 3D printed shape that mimics the size, shape and density of the fruit or vegetable being processed and reproduces its movement characteristics to get as close as possible to a realistic representation of impact “black spots” in handling machinery. Shapes already created include sweetcorn, carrot, parsnip, strawberry, potato, onion and egg.
It can also be inserted within the packaging of any fresh produce to monitor temperature and impact shock during transit over any distance by road, rail, sea or air to allow real-time monitoring or recording of damage during handling by machines or humans at any stage from the field to the shop floor. The data gathered is downloaded at the end of the journey via Bluetooth to any smart phone or tablet using the Martin Lishman Sensing app.
Dr Lishman said almost 60% of crops were spoiled, damaged or wasted during post-harvest operations, presenting a huge challenge to the food production industry.
“But digital agri-tech solutions, leading to more efficient post-harvest processes, do not need to be costly and can reduce losses to as low as 1-2%,” he added.
“ImpacTrack is an example of a game-changing technology that can be used worldwide and adapted to suit all types and sizes of production and handling facility.
“It can make a significant contribution to the challenge of reducing waste losses.”
Agri-tech solutions do not need to be costly and can reduce losses to as low as 1-2%