Feeding the Future: Why Automation is on the Menu
Automation has been part of the food and beverage industry since the early 20th century, driven by the need for consistency, hygiene, and efficiency. Today these needs are still present but what is possible with automation has changed.
Automation has become a critical driver of growth and efficiency across the food and beverage industry. But it’s not just about adding robots to the production line. True transformation lies in integrating advanced engineering with thoughtful, user-centered design to create systems that are fast, scalable, intuitive and resilient. At Acorn Product Development, we’ve learned that the most effective systems are those designed with the product, the process, and the people in mind. This article discusses what good automation can accomplish.
The Benefits of Automation
What sets leading companies apart is not just that they’re automating—but how they’re automating. Coca Cola Uses AI and Machine Vision in their bottling lines to automate inspection systems. Tyson Foods uses wearable safety tech for workers and automates more hazardous tasks to support a safer work environment. And Dominos has automated their kitchens to improve consistency.
Food and beverage automation demands a careful balance of precision engineering and real-world functionality. By integrating both advanced engineering and user-centered design, we’ve helped many companies transform their operations and lead innovation in their industries.
Engineering Considerations
Engineering plays a pivotal role in designing solutions that meet the unique demands of food production environments. From designing machinery that can handle delicate food items to integrating smart sensors and control systems. However, good engineering must consider the following to turn automation into a competitive advantage.
Flexibility and Modularity
Why it matters: F&B products and packaging change frequently. Automation needs to adapt without major overhauls.
What to look for: Systems with modular components, quick-change tooling, and programmable logic controllers that support rapid reconfiguration.
Product Handling Sensitivity
Why it matters: Food items are often delicate or variable in texture and shape. Mishandling leads to waste and quality issues.
What to look for: Gentle robotics, soft grippers, vision systems, and adjustable handling parameters based on product type.
Throughput and Efficiency
Why it matters: Speed and reliability drive ROI. Downtime and bottlenecks are costly.
What to look for: High-cycle rates, real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and integration with upstream/downstream systems.
Traceability and Data Capture
Why it matters: Consumers and regulators demand transparency, and companies need insight into operations.
What to look for: IoT-enabled devices, barcode/QR tracking, real-time data logging, and integration with ERP or MES platforms.
Energy and Resource Efficiency
Why it matters: Sustainability is a business and brand imperative.
What to look for: Energy-efficient motors, minimal compressed air usage, smart power-down modes, and resource tracking capabilities.
Scalability
Why it matters: Businesses grow, and systems should grow with them.
What to look for: Solutions that can expand from pilot runs to full-scale production, support multiple SKUs, and integrate with future systems.
Regulatory and Compliance Readiness
Why it matters: Failing audits can stop operations in their tracks.
What to look for: Systems that meet FDA, USDA, and global food safety standards (like FSMA, BRCGS, or SQF) and include audit-friendly data logs.
Well-engineered systems not only boost throughput and reduce downtime—they also ensure long-term reliability and seamless integration into existing operations. In a fast-changing market, strong engineering isn’t just support for automation—it’s what makes it possible.
Design Considerations
User-centered design ensures that the human experience remains central to innovation. While engineering focuses on efficiency, design ensures usability. As equipment becomes more sophisticated, human interaction becomes even more critical. To avoid poorly designed interfaces that can slow down processes, frustrate workers, and increase the risk of error consider the following.
Hygiene and Cleanability
Why it matters: Food safety is non-negotiable. Equipment must be easy to clean and designed to prevent contamination.
What to look for: Sanitary design principles, smooth surfaces, minimal crevices, and components that withstand frequent washdowns and cleaning agents.
Worker Safety and Ergonomics
Why it matters: Automation should reduce risk, not introduce new hazards.
What to look for: Safety-rated robotics, guard systems, emergency stop protocols, and ergonomically designed human-machine interfaces (HMIs).
Ease of Use and Training
Why it matters: Frontline operators and maintenance teams need to interact with automation daily.
What to look for: Intuitive interfaces, minimal training requirements, clear feedback systems, and built-in help tools or diagnostics.
Whether it’s intuitive touchscreen interfaces, ergonomic access panels, or clear maintenance pathways, smart design empowers operators, simplifies training, and increases system uptime. The best automation solutions are not only technically advanced—they’re easy to use, maintain, and scale.
Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Execution
As always automation is driven by necessity, enabled by technology, and shaped by changing consumer expectations. The food and beverage industry is no stranger to this and is poised for a new era of intelligent, design-forward automation. But companies need the right partners to bring their visions to life.
That’s where Acorn Product Development comes in. With decades of experience helping companies in the F&B space and beyond, Acorn brings together world-class engineering and industrial design expertise under one roof. We’ve helped clients automate complex tasks, optimize production environments, and design systems that work seamlessly for both machines and people.
Our team understands the realities of food and beverage production—tight spaces, high-volume demands, user safety, regulatory complexity, and the critical importance of uptime. We don’t just build automation. We build it better, with the end user in mind.
If you're ready to stay ahead of the curve, streamline operations, and create a smarter, more user-friendly, commercially viable products, Acorn Product Development is ready to help you lead the way.
Let’s build what’s next—together.