Global Pac’s Aporo II utilises AI technology to increase apple packaging speeds. Since its first commercial installations in 2018, its global fleet of Aporos has collected a significant amount of daily data and imagery. It has been used to enhance its neural networks to accurately identify the stem and calyx on apple varieties and orient them 30 percent faster.
Having observed and supported the early development of the produce packer and prototype trials of Robotics Plus in Nelson in 2017, Cameron McInnes, co-founder and director of Global Pac, said that despite the technology not being ready for a commercial environment at that time, he was encouraged by the progress made, and Global Pac worked together with Robotics plus to bring the packer to market.
With a focus on sales, marketing, and ongoing support of Aporo and ancillary machinery, Global Pac is responsible for its partnership with Robotics Plus to build a distribution network that has reached eight countries.
“We work closely with Robotics Plus on the product roadmap for Aporo.”
The pandemic posed a significant challenge, with the cost and access of labour needed for this technology, shortages during this time with a continued need for packing, as well as challenges posed by the global silicon chip crunch and an inability to secure sea freight, Global Pac moved to air freight to keep the business growing and to meet global demand.
“We operate a very strong relationship model, so it was challenging not being able to travel freely into our markets. We also had to slow our growth into new markets because we couldn’t make those critical early in-person visits to cement relationships.”
Moving forward, Global Pac anticipates a normalisation of componentry and sea frights. However, with high-interest rates, it is looking to add new variants of Aporo to help packhouses enter into automated packing at a lower price point, with the flexibility to scale and add in technology as capital permits.
The Aporo II is designed to be more user-friendly, a key developer of the technology based on personal experience, where machinery that was hard to use or which required significant adjustments meant it wasn’t used effectively. Therefore, the Aporo II is designed for simplicity. To achieve this, Aporo’s machine vision was enhanced to automatically identify pockets and boxes in an imperfect setting.
“For example, crooked or at variable distances apart.”
McInness continued that the intuitive touch screen also meant operators could adjust the Apple orientation in the tray; its settings and software are advanced and easy to use compared to traditional settings where it would be adjusted in clunky PLC interfaces.
This technological development has meant less handling of fruit, which means less spoilage and a more efficient use of labour. This is a key benefit as labour availability of appropriately trained and willing packhouse workers in the Western world is currently scarce. The integration of Aporo has meant that customers of Global Pac have been able to move 200-400 kgs to 600–900 kgs per hour per person.
“This, in turn, allows packers to focus on developing and applying their talent into higher value tasks.”
The recent launch of Global Pac IOT tools allows customers to centrally control and monitor machines from anywhere.
Moving forward into 2024, Global Pac will roll out its highspeed upgrade kit to existing and new Aporo II customers, allowing customers to pack up to 40 percent faster. It will also launch COR, a new tray-loading robot, allowing customers to fully automate loose packing by placing Aporo-packed trays into export boxes without human intervention.
This has been a two-year development and follows the Aporo principles of autonomous packing and the redeployment of labour.
Read more about technology and equipment innovation below, starting on page 38.
