Automation, information and integration are transforming the world of tomorrow today. Devices are talking to each other and fixing themselves, systems are flagging errors before they happen, and ‘custom’ is the new global specification.
This way of using technology is rapidly redefining the world of food – how we produce it, how we prepare it, and how we consume it. We’re using Industry 4.0 to make things simpler, safer and synchronised like never before.
Welcome to our Industry 4.0 [Integrity of Food] Testlab
Industry 4.0 (or ‘the 4th Industrial Revolution’) is the 'smart' automation of industry through intelligent networks and connected technologies. These technologies are springing up in response to the pressures of climate change, resource shortages, food waste and growing populations.
This evolution is happening fast, redefining how we produce, process, prepare and consume food and drink. Embracing these exciting new technologies and adopting Industry 4.0 approaches will future-proof your business with richer data for better decision-making, quality-assurance at every level, and by uncovering opportunities for innovation.
And Testlab is here to help.
Whether you’re in agriculture or aquaculture, manufacturing or agritourism, there are huge opportunities to improve your profitability, sustainability and even bio-security via Industry 4.0.
At our Testlab, we are focused on helping small-to-medium enterprises associated with the food and beverage sector become confident using connected technology to solve problems and develop new opportunities. We are one of six University-hosted Testlabs, part of a government-backed strategic initiative to support Australian industry.
Our Testlab provides an opportunity for you to test-drive Industry 4.0 technology, and to co-design solutions and opportunities for your sector or business. The Testlab's capabilities apply across the entire value chain - from production to processing, transport, preparation and consumption.
Our Testlab will help you access examples of Industry 4.0 in action, workshops, and short courses, to deepen your understanding of this new landscape. We will also connect you to other collaboratively-minded small-to-medium enterprises.
Our Testlab on the Integrity of Food creates innovative solutions to food and beverage safety, quality, authenticity, provenance, bio-security and supply-chain and logistics management. Our focus is on co-designing Industry 4.0 solutions and opportunities for real-world challenges, increasing productivity whilst reducing waste. Our Testlab showcases and provides access to Industry 4.0 technologies being adopted by other small-to-medium enterprises in food, beverage and associated industry sectors.
We’ll be looking at how new data and technology can add value to Tasmanian small-to-medium enterprises. This can be used as a framework for an integrated solution that will automate data collection and operations. Because of the portability of our equipment, much of our Testlab's capability can be applied on location at your business.
Testbeds have been developed around key industry issues that have the ability to significantly impact small-to-medium enterprises in agrifood. These include:
- Sensing the supply-chain: Networks of environmental sensors in the field, embedded in key processes, and the ability to monitor a range of transport and storage parameters - all with information available remotely and in real-time, to boost efficiencies and eliminate supply-chain issues
- Bio-security, food-safety and microbial monitoring: Compact equipment with software dashboards, for portable, real-time identification and measurement of microbes to optimise food-safety and bio-security strategies, and to determine unique microbial assemblages
- Digitalisation of food and beverage quality: Digital aroma and taste analysis, non-destructive beverage analysis and 3D food printing to improve understanding of products and ingredients, and to explore new opportunities for creativity, accessibility and sustainability
Contact testlab@utas.edu.au to register your interest or collaborate with us in testing Industry 4.0 technologies and processes.
Visit Testlab: Integrity of Food and take a tour of our virtual showroom.
This immersive online space allows you to see, hear and experience new technologies through videos and case studies.
Industry 4.0 Education
The University of Tasmania has developed courses and workshops to support and engage with industry, schools and the community.