Fizyr and Yaskawa Europe have introduced an automated hygienic handling solution targeted at the food and life sciences sectors. The collaboration integrates Yaskawa’s HD-series robots, Fizyr’s PANOPTIC vision AI, a binpick food cell developed by Van Wees Waalwijk, and programming support from Alpha Robotica. The solution is designed to meet hygiene and precision requirements commonly associated with food processing and laboratory environments.
The system is currently deployed at a salad production facility, where two HD7 robots handle raw peppers and salad dressing packets, placing them into bowls of lettuce. The setup includes a mobile machine with a turntable that can hold four ingredient crates, allowing continued operation during crate replacement. The equipment is designed for ease of use, requiring only a connection to power and compressed air, and supports program selection for operation.
The solution marks an expansion of the partnership between Fizyr and Yaskawa, which now includes a non-exclusive go-to-market strategy for Europe. According to company representatives, the partnership combines specialized competencies from each participant, including vision AI from Fizyr, robotics from Yaskawa, cell design from Van Wees Waalwijk, and system programming from Alpha Robotica.
“Hygienic applications such as food picking and laboratory automation have very high standards for cleanliness and accuracy,” said Ken Fleming, CEO of Fizyr. “Yaskawa’s new HD series of robots exceed those standards, achieving an IP69K rating, to ensure cleanliness and consumer safety. But what makes these solutions truly unparalleled is each partner leveraging its expertise; when we each focus on the pieces we do best, we can create magic.”
“This hygienic automation solution is an excellent example of the potential we saw when engaging in a cooperation agreement with Fizyr,” said Pär Tornemo, Senior Vice President Robotics Division of Yaskawa Europe. “Their advanced computer vision and deep expertise unlocks the possibilities of robotic automation for limitless applications around the globe. We expect this is the first of many.”
