Kindai University and Panasonic Connect automate red sea bream fry sorting

Kindai University and Panasonic Connect Group have launched a joint effort to improve an automated sorting device for red sea bream fry. The project involves the Kindai University Fisheries Research Institute, the Kindai University Fisheries Seed Production Center, and the university-launched venture Armarine Kindai.

Currently, the sorting of red sea bream fry—of which approximately 15 million are shipped annually to aquaculture farmers across Japan—is performed manually by skilled workers. This process requires high levels of concentration and experience to identify morphological abnormalities or growth defects, leading to challenges in standardizing quality and transferring technical skills to new workers.

The automated system works by capturing images of fry as they pass on a conveyor belt. The system analyzes these images to identify abnormal individuals and uses a robotic arm to remove them. To enhance precision and operational continuity, the team is testing the pilot introduction of ‘Robo Sync for Cobot’, a no-code control service for collaborative robots provided by Panasonic Connect Group.

The goal is to refine the device through real-world testing at aquaculture sites to achieve practical application in the near future, aiming to reduce the burden on specialized workers and streamline the technical training process.