Overview

Edge AI inspection offers several benefits to the food and beverage industry, particularly in ensuring high-quality standards and quantity production, especially for egg farms, beverage bottling, and meat processing.

Improved Inspection Accuracy: Edge AI can enhance the accuracy of inspections by using AI-based machine vision to detect defects, contaminants, or inconsistencies that would otherwise be dismissed by the naked eye when moving at high speeds on the production line.
Reduced Manual Labor: Automation with AI inspection reduces the need for human workers to perform repetitive, time-consuming tasks.
Reduced Human Inconsistencies: AI eliminates variability in inspections caused by human fatigue or subjective judgment.
Increased Productivity: By automating inspection processes, Edge AI increases throughput.

Examples of where edge AI inspection systems can be put to good use are：

An egg farm where AI-driven systemscan work continuously, inspecting thousands of eggs (for cracks) per hour, far surpassing the human capacity.

In beverage bottling production line, AI inspection can consistently detect incorrect filled levels, damaged bottles, sediments or contaminants.

In meat processing plants, AI inspection can inspect cuts of meat for quality and contamination.


Challenges

Implementing an edge AI computer in a factory AI inspection system presents several challenges. Production lines often experience constant shock and vibration from motors and conveyor belts, which can damage components or dislodge connectors over time. Additionally, the wet environments in many factories pose risks to the stability and longevity of the system.

In egg farms, there is the possibility of egg white or yolk accidentally contaminating the system if eggs crack.

Similarly, in bottling production lines, spills or faulty nozzle sprays can permanently damage the AI system.

In meat processing factories, the need for frequent cleansing of meat cuts exposes the system to debris, potentially clogging vents or impairing sensors. As a result, the system must be designed to withstand these harsh environments.


All environments mentioned above involve fluids or a wet environment that can render the touch screen useless. The environments also require excellent hygiene practices, and wearing gloves may affect the screen touch sensitivity.

Food and beverage factories want to minimize the size of the computer inspection system without compromising on inspection ability and performance.

Vibration from the conveyor belt may damage electronic components and dislodge connectors.


Solution

One of our partners that creates AI vision inspection systems for factory environments chose to implement Neousys' waterproof panel edge AI PC, the NRU-170-PPC for their solution. Here's a quick rundown of reasons why the system was chosen in the first place.

  • IP66 waterproof: Being IP66 gives NRU-170-PPC the advantage of being able to operate in wet environments. This is especially practical in food and beverage industries where the working environment often involves liquid and requires daily cleansing.
  • IFAKRA Z (GMSL2) or M12 camera connector: The FAKRA Z connector is specifically designed for GMSL2 automotive cameras and supports cameras utilizing IMX390, ISX031, and IMX490 CMOS sensors with pre-integrated drivers. Or, the other option is M12 PoE+ ports that can support IP/ industrial cameras. Both are ideal for edge AI factory vision inspection applications.
  • Wireless communication: The system comes with a mini-PCIe for WiFi modules that can used for factory machine intercommunications; and an M.2 B-key socket that supports 4G LTE/ 5G NR for long distance communications.
  • IA 10.1" compact all-in-one system: The system comes with a waterproof 10.1" 1000cd/m2 touchscreen panel with a single-touch sensitivity setting for operating in wet environments.
  • Minimal footprint: The NRU-170-PPC is compact in dimensions with a built-in touchscreen. Not needing an extra monitor and keyboard, it is effectively an edge AI computer in the palm of your hands.
  • Inference AI processing power: Leveraging the NVIDIA® Jetson Orin™ NX, the system achieves superior AI inference, offering up to 100 sparse TOPS (INT8) and the ability to transcode up to 18 simultaneous 1080P video streams.

In short, the Neousys NRU-170-PPC was chosen for its rugged, waterproof capability, versatile connectivity, small footprint design, and AI processing power. With IP66 protection, wireless communication, and wet environment operability, it ensures reliable performance in food and beverage factories, offering real-time insights and efficient operation for field-based machinery.