Flexiv Unveils Robotic Solution to Automate Fish Fillet Shaping

In a groundbreaking move to address staffing challenges and inconsistencies in the food production industry, Flexiv Robotics, a global leader in general-purpose robotics solutions, has unveiled a revolutionary fish fillet shaping application. The cutting-edge system, fully automated by Flexiv’s Rizon 4 adaptive robot, harnesses the power of computer vision and force-control technology to identify and shape breaded fish fillets, ensuring consumers receive uniformly sized and shaped portions.

Developed in collaboration with one of Asia’s leading seafood producers, the solution tackles a task traditionally performed by manual labour, where employees meticulously shaped each fillet to achieve a consistently sized end product. However, maintaining the high level of concentration required for manual shaping proved exhausting for workers, leading to high staff turnover rates and operational challenges for supervisors striving to keep the station running smoothly.

Flexiv’s innovative solution transforms the shaping process by combining custom end-of-arm tooling and computer vision, enabling precision and efficiency far beyond human capabilities. Powered by AI-driven computer vision, the system accurately detects the location of each fillet on the production line. Operating in sync with the speed of the conveyor line, Flexiv’s Rizon 4 robots then shape the portions without lifting them, using force-control to apply the precise amount of pressure needed to form the fillets without causing damage.

“We were told that the shaping stage was difficult for the client to staff, so we used our adaptive technology to not only solve the problem but improve how it’s completed,” said Liang Mao, Flexiv’s New Market Solution Director. “Our fillet shaping solution ensures consistency, speeds up production, and maintains the highest standards of quality, all while completing a manual labour type task that no one wants to do.”

Able to operate with a consistency and speed impossible for human workers, the solution boosts productivity without compromising quality. Fully automated, it also includes a self-cleaning feature, ensuring any food debris that adheres to the end-of-arm tool is automatically removed, ensuring the utmost levels of hygiene and operational effectiveness at all times.

Easy to use and quick to deploy, Flexiv’s fish fillet shaping solution can be integrated into an existing production line in under half a working day, and requires no specialised training or prior experience in robotics.

Flexiv, a world-leading general-purpose robotics company dedicated to developing and manufacturing adaptive robots, has expertise in integrating industrial-grade force control, computer vision, and AI technologies. The company delivers advanced turn-key automation solutions that enhance efficiency while reducing operational costs and environmental impact. Founded in 2016, Flexiv has established offices in Silicon Valley, Shanghai, Beijing, Taiwan, and Singapore.