How Collaborative Robots and AI Are Empowering The Food & Beverage Industries

In recent years, the use of collaborative robots (cobots) has offered great efficiencies to the food and beverage industry. These machines reduce the need for humans to perform strenuous, repetitive tasks. Food & Beverage is also using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance decision-making. The two technologies are being fused to provide an even greater return.

Collaborative Robots in Food & Beverage

Collaborative robots are able to work safely alongside humans without the need for fencing. Most cobots support payloads up to 10kg, which is suitable for a wide range of applications, including pick and place.

Cobots are often programmed by having an operator move the robot to desired fixed points. The cobot memorizes these points and movements, and it repeats the task. They can also be moved to other parts of the production line without disassembly. Since they never forget their preprogrammed tasks, once in place they can go right to work without retraining. Cobots can also be programmed to handle a multitude of SKUs on the line.

Artificial Intelligence in Food & Beverage

Artificial intelligence relies on a continuous process of learning from experience. AI algorithms come up with alternative options to conventional, time-consuming A/B testing. Unlike humans, AI’s ability to adapt to its environment is unlimited, and it has no problem with performing repetitive tasks indefinitely.

Market Intelligence News & Insights:

North American Robot Orders Hold Steady in Q1 2025 as A3 Launches First-Ever Collaborative Robot Tracking

Robot orders in North America remained essentially flat in the first quarter of 2025, with companies purchasing 9,064 units valued at $580.7 million, according to new data released by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3). Compared to Q1 2024, this represents a 0.4% increase in units ordered and a 15% rise in order value, signaling continued demand and increased investment in higher-value automation systems.

Read More

• Data Analysis. Machine learning is helping to analyze data quickly. Retailers need to cluster and identify the interests and wants of their main customers. AI can repeatedly analyze this data in real time and inform retailers and suppliers of demand, shortages, and waste.
• Forecasting. Retailers also want to know what products are best to deliver last-minute and which should be kept in stock. AI-powered algorithms analyze what may influence buyer behavior, including promotions, social media, and weather.
• Waste Reduction. Some food processors have turned to AI to calibrate machines to reduce waste on their production lines. These machines identify the optimal use of raw materials based on size and variety.

Collaborative Robots and AI

Vendors now integrate the capability of cobots to perform repetitive physical tasks and artificial intelligence’s ability to perform repetitive data analytics. This results in better decision-making for the use of cobots.

Some applications held out for AI and cobots include:

• Reducing the cobot’s learning curve to complete new tasks by the use of network-connected cobots learning together
• Analyzing and adjusting cobot movements with the use of vision system and sensor data to improve efficiency
• Decreasing downtime by ordering replacement parts and scheduling maintenance ahead of time

Find Out More

Connect with manufacturers and integrators of collaborative robot solutions. Search online at automate.org for the professional guidance you need.

Related Blog Articles

Robotics and COVID-19: Highlights from A3’s panel discussion with four top leaders

Read

Robotic Surgery: The Role of AI and Collaborative Robots

Read