The food production industry is set to benefit from productivity growth as it increases its uptake of robotic technology, it has been claimed.
Currently, the food sector only uses around 23,000 robots whereas the automotive market uses 364,000, reports foodproductiondaily.com.
However, following the recession, orders from the automotive industry fell by 52 per cent, whereas the food sector only decreased demand by ten per cent.
Mike Wilson, president of the British Automation Robotics Association, claimed this has meant robotic suppliers are now developing technology tailored for the food industry.
He said: "The cost of labour is always increasing whereas the cost of technology is going down.
"The increasing importance of food safety is another important issue. If you can get people off the food processing line and reduce human contact with the product, you immediately cut the risk of contamination. Robotic systems offer this opportunity."
Mr Wilson added that he expects the food industry to have a similar uptake of robotics as the car sector within ten years.
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the food industry includes; elevators – bucket elevators – valves
