Non-Invasive Sensor Technology
Our Non-Invasive Sensor team has led the world in the use of near-infrared spectroscopy for assessing horticultural produce.
Led by Professor Kerry Walsh, the team is focused on the development of new sensor hardware and applications of existing sensors that can assess agricultural commodities and advance productivity without damaging the product.
In partnership with international technology companies and the Australian horticultural supply chain, the team has delivered new tools to accurately assess the ripeness of mango crops prior to harvest and retail. In some cases, farm performance has increased by more than 40% through early and accurate assessment of the ripeness of fruit, bolstering crop productivity through optimised harvest timing and improved fruit quality.
After enjoying widespread success through the use of NIRS to improve mango production, the team is now investigating the use of machine vision for assessing mango flowering and fruiting, and robotic harvesting techniques to overcome labour shortages and occupational risks to workers.
Specialist research skills in:
- Multi-scale Monitoring tools for managing Australian tree crops
- Sensors for measuring fruit quality standards
- Sensor refinement and testing
- Measuring dry matter and Brix in ripening mango
- Technologies in fruit sorting
- Automated technologies for fruit and flower counting
- Automated technologies for fruit picking.
