South Korea’s Pulmuone and Switzerland’s robot automation company ABB have signed a joint R&D agreement to develop technologies for cell-cultured fish.

The new MoU hopes to facilitate the mass production of cell-based seafood, leveraging ABB’s robot tech to automate the culture process.

ABB and Pulmuone will collaborate on several key areas of innovation in the development and future mass production of cell-cultured seafood. This includes the R&D of robotic automation to enhance the efficiency of production and prevent cross-contamination.

ABB will leverage its complete portfolio of automation solutions, including potential AI-based solutions, software, robots as well as automation expertise to develop cell-based seafood. While specific solutions are yet to be identified, some operations will still require human intervention, so ABB’s portfolio of collaborative robots (cobots) will likely play a key role in any future solutions. Cobots can be programmed to work safely alongside human operators without the need for conventional barriers.

Pulmuone will use ABB's robot technology to automate the culture process, with the aim of establishing mass production by 2026. Pulmuone expects to become the ‘world's first’ company to apply AI robot automation technology to cell-cultured foods.

Craig McDonnell, MD, business line industries at ABB Robotics, said: "We are pleased to collaborate with Pulmuone and provide ABB’s robotics expertise and experience in both the food industry and life sciences. The ability of robots to free skilled lab workers from carrying out dull, repetitive tasks is a key advantage in an economy like South Korea, with a tight labour market. In addition, the precision and repeatability offered by robots is a major benefit in food application.“

In addition to the joint R&D into robot automation of cell-cultured fish, the two organisations will conduct joint research on the production efficiency and productivity improvements gained through automation. They will also share facilities and equipment as well as professional expertise.

Kim Sang-gu, director of the food safety department at Pulmuone Technology Institute, added: "By integrating ABB's AI robotics technology...with Pulmuone's specialised foundational technology in seafood cell cultivation, we expect to enhance our technological competitiveness and create greater synergy in the development of advanced seafood technology. We will accelerate the establishment of an innovative mass production system for sustainable cultivated seafood products in the near future, leading to groundbreaking technological innovations.“

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