Borde

Borde develops AI-based inline inspection and sorting technology for processing operations, combining what the company describes as patented AI software (the Borde Inline Platform, with Borde Inline Advisor as its inspection application) with AI hardware. The system inspects product flowing past it on a production line, detecting product defects and foreign material, classifying them into defect and foreign-material subcategories, and returning quality-control data in real time. In almonds, for example, the system categorizes kernels into edible kernels and dozens of defect and foreign-material subcategories and reports a USDA grade with breakdowns by piece count and percentage by weight; it can also size product, including sizing walnuts into halves and pieces via a proprietary sizing model.

The product line includes Borde Inline and Borde Lab, supported by real-time dashboards, over-the-air updating, end-to-end integration and detailed reporting. The system integrates with check-weigh scales, upstream or downstream PLC signals and third-party ERP/inventory management systems so that images and lot-, bin- or box-level quality control reports can be produced without a human in the loop; a manual start/stop option is available through the user interface where PLC automation is not present. At present the system operates independently of sorting machines, returning quality data that operators use to adjust sorter sensitivities, with the company anticipating a market move toward closed-loop feedback to sorting systems. Beyond food, Borde markets solutions for minerals, recycling and pharmaceuticals.