Key Takeways
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Thailand’s Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA) has introduced a "Durian CT-scan" machine equipped with AI that assesses the ripeness and checks for worms in just 3 seconds per fruit with 95% accuracy. This machine can process 1,200 durians per hour, addressing significant challenges in the export market.
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Developed in collaboration with Suranaree University of Technology, the cost of the machine has decreased from 10 million baht to 2 million. This reduction aids fruit-sorting facilities by saving time and labor, while enhancing the reputation of Thai durians in the quality-sensitive Chinese market.
- The machine’s advanced technology allows for non-destructive analysis of the fruit’s internal structure, ensuring the preservation of quality. This innovation not only minimizes economic losses but also fortifies Thailand’s status as a leader in agricultural tech, fostering confidence among global investors and buyers.
Thailand keeps innovating! The Agricultural Research Development Agency (ARDA) has unveiled a new “Durian CT-scan” machine that combines AI to detect ripeness, underripeness, and seed-boring worms in just 3 seconds per fruit, with 95% accuracy. It can sort up to 1,200 durians per hour, solving a major headache for the export market.
This innovation is the result of a collaboration with Suranaree University of Technology, repurposing decommissioned medical CT-scan technology for agriculture. The cost has been reduced to 2 million baht per machine from the original 10 million, helping fruit-sorting facilities save time and labor while boosting the credibility of Thai durians in the quality-conscious Chinese market.
The key feature is AI analyzing the internal structure of the fruit, detecting worms and ripeness without damaging the durian flesh. This preserves the “King of Fruits” standard perfectly before export, with plans to expand the technology to other fruits in the future.
This success not only cuts economic losses but also reinforces Thailand’s position as a global leader in agricultural technology, building confidence among investors and buyers worldwide.
