Fujitsu's AI-Powered Ultrasound Machine Revolutionizes Tuna Quality Assessment

Fujitsu Unveils Sonofai: AI-Powered Tuna Assessment Technology

Japanese tech giant Fujitsu has introduced a groundbreaking machine called Sonofai, which uses artificial intelligence and ultrasound technology to assess the fattiness of tuna fish. This innovation promises to revolutionize quality control in the seafood industry, particularly for sushi and sashimi markets 1

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How Sonofai Works

Sonofai, whose name is a blend of "sono" (sound), "f" (Fujitsu), and "ai" (artificial intelligence), employs ultrasound waves to analyze tuna fish 1

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1. A conveyor belt transporting a frozen tuna fish into the machine
2. Ultrasound waves beamed at the fish
3. Sensors picking up the waves and creating a zigzag diagram on a screen
4. AI interpreting the data to determine the fish's fattiness

The technology capitalizes on the fact that fatty meat absorbs fewer sound waves than lean meat. The AI component helps distinguish real data from misleading "noise" or irregularities 1

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Efficiency and Accuracy

Traditionally, assessing a tuna's fattiness required several people to cut the fish's tail with a large saw-like knife, a process taking about 60 seconds per fish. Sonofai dramatically reduces this time to just 12 seconds and can be operated by a person without prior fish-carving knowledge 1

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Industry Impact and Applications

Hisashi Ishida, president of Sonofai and head of Ishida Tec Co., emphasizes the machine's safety, sanitation, and efficiency benefits. The technology is particularly relevant as sushi culture gains popularity worldwide, increasing demand for high-quality tuna 1

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While beef already has an established grading system for fat content and flavor, Hideto Okada, who oversees AI at Fujitsu, notes that the ability to gauge tuna quality in this manner is novel 1

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Medical Parallels and Expert Insights

The technology behind Sonofai is similar to medical ultrasound scans, using high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal structures. Dr. Chris Edwards, a professor at Queensland University of Technology, draws parallels between this technology and ultrasound used to assess human liver fattiness 1

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Market Potential and Future Developments

Sonofai is primarily targeted at fish-processing facilities and fishing organizations. Set to launch in June with a price tag of approximately 30 million yen ($207,000), it will initially be available in Japan before expanding to the U.S. and other markets 1

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Fujitsu plans to develop future upgrades to test for additional characteristics such as freshness and firmness, potentially extending the technology to other fish varieties 1

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