The launch of Eqraft’s Eqrader optical sorting machine for onions disrupted grading practices across Europe and North America. Following its success, potato companies soon began expressing interest in a similar solution. This marked the beginning of Eqraft’s development of an optical grading machine specifically for potatoes.
The Eqrader for onions uses both internal and external scanners to classify onions based on size, weight, shape, color, and quality across virtually unlimited classes and exits. After its launch in 2017, potato companies reached out, seeking a comparable system. To meet this demand, Eqraft formed a partnership with BIOMETiC, an Italian leader in quality control scanning and advanced machine learning in the agri-food sector. The new Eqrader for potatoes evaluates and sorts potatoes based on customizable classifications, examining both their exterior and interior, similar to the successful onion grading system.
Eqraft’s R&D team, led by Leon Vaandrager and Jouke Aalvanger, is responsible for designing the new machine. Although experienced with onion grading, the team encountered unique challenges with potatoes. “We had to start from scratch again,” says Leon. Potatoes, even within the same variety or harvest, vary greatly in size and shape. Additional challenges include irregularities like heart shapes, twins, and dents. Unlike onions, potatoes do not roll easily, requiring significant adjustments to the machine’s design.
To solve this, the teams at Eqraft and BIOMETiC came up with an innovative approach: potatoes move sideways through the machine, which helps reduce size deviations. Each potato is rotated 360 degrees for a comprehensive scan of its exterior. The teams quickly began gathering data on potatoes, photographing tens of thousands of them to train the AI system and teach it to recognize defects.
The new grading machine can be configured to meet the needs of various clients, handling both table potatoes and those used for french fries. As Leon explains, “Skin defects might be acceptable for peeled potatoes, but the same issues might lead to rejection depending on the specific requirements.” The machine is modular, allowing for a customizable number of exits, ensuring the highest level of flexibility for users.
The new technology also enables the detection of hollow spaces inside potatoes. Giancarlo Zane, head of sales and engineering at BIOMETiC, says, “This was only possible because we developed the optical potato grader together from the ground up. We made specific material choices to minimize interference with the scanners and optimize the view.” Jouke adds, “We are true pioneers together.”
The Eqrader for potatoes is a comprehensive solution that detects foreign objects, sorts by size and weight, and recognizes external defects like cracks, sprouts, and deformities. It also offers internal classification, all while operating at high capacity, just like the onion grader. The first Eqraders for potatoes are expected to be operational next year, potentially setting a new standard in potato sorting technology.
