De Montfort University has developed OPTIcut, a cutting-edge web-based decision support system offering precision agriculture in the banana business. It uses state of the art artificial intelligence and 3D image processing algorithms providing optimized cutting strategies and fruit profiles tailored to each farm. Banana hands are cut into clusters for packing. This generates variable amounts of fruit waste depending on the cutting strategy used.
Cutting strategies are currently based on human experience and their number can be exponential. Therefore, there is a clear need to produce data driven optimized cutting strategies which can minimize waste and maximize profit. OPTIcut also offers producers the capacity to estimate the amount of fruit available in every farm (fruit profiles), per type of cut and to record fruit damage to make strategic decisions. We are currently looking for ways to promote OPTIcut and attract investors and funding opportunities.