Updated 10/20/2023
In the news...
Robot butchers in Canada
Source: From AI to robot butchers, automating the meat packing industry is not cut-and-dried by Kyle Bakx cbc.ca via MSN News
Summary: The Canadian meat-processing industry, while embracing some technology like sensors to track animal welfare, lags behind other sectors in automation. Challenges arise in replicating human touch for precise cuts and distinguishing between different parts of meat. Startups supported by the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network (CAAIN) are innovating, with projects like MatrixSpec Solutions using AI to assess fat content more accurately than human workers, potentially improving efficiency and precision. For an industry highly reliant on labor, these technological advancements could alleviate challenges posed by labor shortages, ensuring food safety, and enhancing competitiveness against alternative protein sources. Canadian beef exports, a significant part of the economy, underline the importance of technological advancement for the meat-processing sector.
Commentary: The slow integration of automation and AI in the Canadian meat-processing industry highlights both the challenges and opportunities present in this critical sector. While other industries have embraced advanced technologies, the intricate nature of meat cutting, which demands human-like precision, has posed a significant hurdle. However, the emergence of startups like MatrixSpec Solutions and Mode40, backed by organizations like CAAIN, offers a glimpse into the industry's future.
The potential for AI to revolutionize tasks like fat content assessment indicates a shift towards more reliable and efficient processes. As labor-intensive roles face continuous challenges, these technologies not only promise to alleviate labor pressures but also enhance the sector's competitiveness against alternatives like plant-based proteins.
Furthermore, these advancements in Canada's meat-processing sector have wider implications. Efficient meat processing is essential for the nation's agriculture industry, contributing significantly to the economy through exports. As consumer preferences evolve, especially with the rise of lab-grown and plant-based alternatives, staying at the forefront of technology becomes crucial for the meat industry's survival and growth.
The collaboration between startups and organizations like CAAIN underscores a proactive approach to modernizing the sector. If these efforts continue and technological adoption accelerates, Canada's meat-processing industry could not only ensure food safety and enhance productivity but also bolster the nation's position in the global market, making strides toward a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
Driverless Cars... and (perhaps) the food delivery systems that use them
Source 1: Driverless cars investigated in US after accidents - BBC
Source 2: Federal regulators open probe into Cruise after pedestrian injury reports by Rohan Goswami (October 17, 2023) CNBC
Summary: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, regarding incidents involving its driverless vehicles striking pedestrians. The probe focuses on two reports received by the NHTSA and an additional two incidents identified on public websites. Cruise's autonomous vehicles have been involved in accidents where pedestrians were injured, raising questions about the technology's caution around pedestrians in roadway situations. The investigation involves approximately 594 self-driving Cruise vehicles. One incident occurred on October 2, where a pedestrian was thrown by another vehicle into the path of a Cruise autonomous vehicle. In another incident in August, a Cruise vehicle struck a pedestrian who entered a crosswalk after the stoplight had turned green. Cruise maintains that its safety record, covering over 5 million miles, outperforms human drivers, and the company plans to cooperate fully with the NHTSA's inquiries.
Commentary: The investigations into incidents involving Cruise's driverless vehicles highlight the challenges faced by AI-driven technologies in navigating complex urban environments. These events emphasize the importance of developing advanced AI systems that can ensure safety, especially in situations involving pedestrians and traffic.
In the context of food delivery, AI-driven vehicles have been hailed as a potential game-changer. However, these incidents underscore the need for a robust framework to guarantee the safety of both pedestrians and the AI-driven delivery vehicles themselves.
If AI-driven food delivery is to become a reality, addressing these challenges is crucial. Advanced sensors, machine learning algorithms, and real-time data processing will be essential components. Ensuring vehicles can accurately detect and respond to the dynamic nature of urban environments, including pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, is paramount.
Moreover, these incidents highlight the need for collaboration between AI developers, regulatory bodies, and local communities. Establishing clear guidelines and regulations for AI-driven vehicles will be vital to their successful integration into daily life.
In the long term, as these challenges are navigated, AI-driven food delivery has the potential to revolutionize the industry. Imagine a future where AI-driven vehicles efficiently navigate cities, delivering food safely and timely. This could lead to increased efficiency, reduced costs, and improved accessibility for consumers. However, these advancements must be made hand-in-hand with a commitment to safety and responsibility to truly realize the potential of AI-driven food delivery.
Plant based meat market--up or down?
Source: Plant-Based Meat Market from US$ 7.6 Billion to US$ 4.9 Billion by 2033 Unveiling the Sustainable Growth Choices in Meat Replacements by Nandini Singh Sawlani Future Market Insights Inc.
Summary: The plant-based meat market is set to surpass $4,915.7 million by 2023, with a projected CAGR of 4.6% from 2023 to 2033. This growth is attributed to the rising demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly meat alternatives due to increasing health and environmental awareness. The market, led by prominent brands such as Beyond Meat, is experiencing significant competition and expansion, particularly in regions like Asia Pacific and the United Kingdom, driven by the trend of vegetarianism and veganism. The health benefits associated with plant-based meat products, combined with their ability to mimic the taste and texture of real meat, are driving this global shift in dietary preferences.
Clarification: The data presented is confusing. It looks like there is an anticipated decrease in the market value from US$ 7,634.0 million in 2023 to US$ 4,915.7 million in 2033 based on the article content. While these numbers seem to show the market value decrease, the article also mentions a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% throughout the forecast period from 2023 to 2033. In other words: is it going up from 4.9 billion to 7.6 billion, or down from 7.6 billion to 4.9 billion? We have asked the author for clarification on this important matter.
Commentary: According to this study (one among many), consumers find plant-based meat to largely be inferior to the real thing. Advertisers regularly pitch the tale that it tastes "just like meat" and "you can't tell the difference" but actual studies (and my personal testing) prove otherwise. Is this another attempt by the plant-based meat-substitute industry to give not only "fake meat" but "fake market reports" and try to get us to believe that 1) their food tatses good when it doesn't; and 2) their market is growing when it isnt?
UPDATE 10/20/2023: We checked with the publisher for clarification and have yet to recieve a response. With a little research, we found the original source here: Plant Based Meat Market- Share, Growth, Size & Forecast 2033 (futuremarketinsights.com). The original source predicts the maket is going up from 4.9 billion to 7.6 billion. The original source has the following table to clarify:
| Attributes | Details |
| Plant-based Meat Market Value for 2023 | US $4,895.9 million |
| Plant-based Meat Market Value for 2033 | US $7,634.0 million |
| Plant-based Meat Market CAGR from 2023 to 2033 | 4.6% |
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