Summary
The article discusses how technology is impacting traditional baking operations, particularly at a factory like Tunnock's near Glasgow. While Tunnock's uses automation for many processes, it combines this with human tasks to maintain quality and tradition. New technological advancements, such as a robot arm designed for cake decoration, show how technology could further integrate into food production.
Key Facts
- Tunnock's is a family-run business that produces caramel for its wafer biscuits using both human workers and machines.
- The factory uses automation but still relies on human skills for tasks like checking caramel consistency.
- Machines and human workers together produce about seven million wafer bars and 4.5 million tea cakes each year.
- Technology helps Tunnock's compete with larger companies in the snack industry.
- A new robot arm called HIRO from Canada's Unifiller is designed to bridge the gap between traditional baking and modern efficiency by decorating cakes.
- The robot arm focuses on hygiene and can handle various toppings, which is a challenge in the food industry.
- Food industry equipment must be easy to clean to maintain hygiene standards, which is a design focus for the developers of the robot arm.
