Robot Technology for Pork and Beef Meat Slaughtering Process: A Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: This review describes an updated description of robot technology for slaughterhouse automation. The robot technology used in the pork and beef slaughterhouse and details of the visceral laparotomy, carcass preprocessing, and deboning robot technology were introduced. A recent novel slaughter method, meat factory cell (MFC), developed for small-scale slaughterhouse automation, was reviewed, in which more detailed research is required for practical application. New sanitary legislation for the design of robots is required, and standards for system development should be established and updated for slaughterhouse automation. This study is expected to be used for the establishment of the future automation strategy and the introduction of equipment suitable for automated slaughterhouses. ABSTRACT: Recently, many slaughterhouses have begun to introduce automation and quality evaluation sensing equipment to the slaughter processing line to overcome insufficient human resources, improve the efficiency of the slaughter process, and standardize meat quality. Various processing instruments and sensing technologies may be used depending on the livestock to be slaughtered, but a standardized process design for a smart slaughterhouse remains to be established. Slaughterhouses are becoming more industrialized, leveraging data collection and analysis to drive growth and increase production. Therefore, slaughterhouse automation is essential for meeting production demand, and an optimized design suitable for the size of each company is required to maximize economical equipment and systems. We introduce robot technology used in the slaughterhouse and detail the visceral laparotomy, carcass preprocessing, and deboning robot technology. In this study, we examine slaughterhouse automation equipment and technologies, focusing on optimizing the processing lines, the direction of application, and the hygiene of robot technique. We hope this review will provide insight into slaughterhouse automation for decision making in the slaughter industry.