Background
Hort Innovation, Australia's grower-owned not-for-profit research and development corporation, seeks to innovate the horticulture industry. With a focus on sustainability and technological advancement, the proposed project aligns with our vision to enhance the prosperity and sustainability of Australia's horticulture industry through innovation. Leveraging augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI), this project aims to solve the consumer challenge of selecting ripe avocados, reducing waste, and improving product quality.
Challenge
Develop an AR (Augmented Reality) and AI-based mobile application to assess avocado ripeness and quality through user-friendly interfaces. The application should use AR to scan avocados, employing machine learning algorithms to provide real-time ripeness status, promoting informed consumer choices and reducing food waste.
Challenge Context:
Consumers frequently struggle to determine the ripeness of avocados, leading to increased waste and dissatisfaction. Retailers face challenges in managing avocado quality, impacting sales and sustainability efforts.
Key Success Criteria:
- Development of a robust AR and AI platform compatible with iOS and Android, providing accurate ripeness assessments.
- User engagement and satisfaction with the application's ease of use and reliability.
- Reduction in avocado waste through improved consumer selection and retailer display optimization.
- Scalability of the solution to other fruits and regions, demonstrating broad impact and innovation.
Possible Approaches:
- Integration of ARCore and ARKit for immersive AR experiences.
- Machine learning models trained on extensive avocado image datasets for precise ripeness classification.
- User-centric design for intuitive navigation and interaction.
- Collaboration with avocado growers and retailers for data collection and validation.
What we aren’t interested in:
- Solutions that do not leverage AR and AI technologies.
- Projects lacking a clear plan for scalability and sustainability.
- Initiatives that do not address consumer and retailer needs for avocado selection and waste reduction.
What's in it for you?
Successful collaboration offers potential funding through Hort Innovation's co-investment mechanisms, global recognition, and the opportunity to contribute to a sustainable and innovative solution addressing a real-world challenge in the horticulture industry.