MycoSense Spotlight – modern technology helping to improve harvesting yield and efficiency

In mushroom farming, time and quality are critical factors determining profitability. Any innovation that enhances production processes is invaluable. One such groundbreaking device is the Spotlight, developed by MycoSense. This technology is transforming the way mushrooms are harvested, utilizing machine learning to improve productivity and quality for both novice and experienced harvesters. 

Looking to improve employee performance (and increase profits)? Meet Spotlight.

A simple solution to modern mushroom farming challenges

In mushroom cultivation, optimal harvesting time and the proper size of mushrooms are vital to achieving maximum yields. Factors such as appearance, shape, and size of the fruiting bodies affect the quality of the crop. Equally important is the economic aspect – the weight of mushrooms harvested from a specific growing area.

Experienced growers understand the need to harvest mushrooms at their peak development while allowing others to continue growing. Thinning clusters is also essential to create space for younger mushrooms. Traditionally, this method maximizes yields, but for harvesters, the process can be time-consuming and require extensive training.

By the late 21st century, Europe’s mushroom industry faced a severe labor shortage. While worker migration from Eastern countries has somewhat alleviated this issue, training new harvesters and retaining them remain significant challenges. Effective training, which can take months or even a year, is crucial. Innovations like Spotlight, which streamline the training process and enhance efficiency, have become game-changers for the industry.

What is MycoSense Spotlight technology?

Spotlight is an advanced device mounted on mushroom harvesting lorries. Its primary function is to identify and highlight mature mushrooms ready for picking (or smaller ones for thinning clusters) based on pre-set instructions, developed by the farm’s expert harvesters. Using machine learning algorithms, Spotlight analyzes factors such as shape, size, maturity, spacing, and tension to determine which mushrooms are ready for harvest and which should remain on the bed for later harvest.

This innovation enables even inexperienced harvesters to achieve better productivity from their very first shift. Additionally, training new workers becomes quicker, simpler, and less expensive.

A case study from Switzerland

To better understand Spotlight’s impact, consider a study conducted in Switzerland by Wauwiler Champignons, a producer of mushrooms mainly 40-55 mm in diameter. A group of new harvesters was split into two teams: one using Spotlight and one without.

(source: https://www.mycosense.ch/spotlight)

The results were striking. After three months, all employees improved their harvesting efficiency, consistent with the natural learning curve. However, those equipped with Spotlight were 20-30% faster on average from day one compared to their counterparts, maintaining their relative lead in the following months.

Furthermore, the slowest worker in the non-Spotlight group improved their speed by an impressive 37% after using the device, outperforming colleagues who continued without technological support.

How does Spotlight work?

Spotlight technology uses intelligent detection to identify mushrooms ready for harvest. It recognizes caps sized between 10 mm and 120 mm and can be adjusted to specific production needs using a variety of parameters The device highlights which mushrooms to pick and which to leave for further growth, aiding novice harvesters in making fast and accurate decisions.

Technical specifications

spotlight

What do you gain by choosing Spotlight for your mushroom farm?

As we mentioned above, MycoSense Spotlight technology gives mushroom growers a number of benefits that directly translate into increased productivity, which means more revenue and less loss from mushrooms harvested too small. By choosing to install Spotlight scanners, you can count on:

  1. Faster training of new employees

Traditionally, training new mushroom workers is time-consuming and requires intensive supervision by experienced staff. Spotlight greatly simplifies this process, as newcomers can immediately use the device which shows them which mushrooms are ready to be harvested. This means that pickers achieve higher productivity more quickly and growers do not have to invest as much time and resources in their supervision.

  1. Increased productivity for experienced collectors

Even experienced pickers can benefit from Spotlight’s support.The device allows them to concentrate solely on the picking itself, eliminating the need to assess the maturity of the mushrooms. This reduced mental strain and has been shown to leave pickers less tired at the end of the day. 

  1. Precise mushroom selection and less waste

Spotlight provides precise mushroom selection, thus eliminating the risk of harvesting mushrooms too early or too late. This ensures that your business achieves optimum crop yields and that every mushroom harvested meets the dimensions. Harvesting only perfect mushrooms means less waste and more crop for sale. 

  1. Even higher mushroom farm profitability and hygiene levels 

Thanks to the integration with GrowTime’s  Pascal or Newton harvesting lorries, we achieve an even higher harvesting efficiency and more kg of mushrooms per square metre of cultivation because the harvesting benefits from “graze picking”, the automatic drive where the lorry speed is controlled by Spotlight depending on the number and type of mushrooms identified for picking the picker focuses on the harvesting without having to push herself. 

If we assume selective harvesting (harvesting of one size of mushroom), we maximise the number of kg per m2, because the picker will return to the same place several times, and in the meantime the mushrooms will grow in weight.An additional not inconsiderable value is the reduction of the risk of disease transmission by not having to touch the legs of the racks in order to push off (the lorry moves in an automatic system).

  1. Reducing the workload of employees

Employee turnover is high on mushroom farms, so it makes sense to optimise the time and resources spent on training new employees. With Spotlight, you reduce the need to supervise new pickers, allowing you to delegate more workers to the harvest.

The future of mushroom harvesting with the support of technology

MycoSense’s Spotlight technology is an example of how cutting-edge solutions can improve even a process as traditional as mushroom harvesting. By combining intelligent machine learning algorithms with practical tools for pickers, MycoSense is bringing a new standard to the mushroom industry, while the collaboration between MycoSense and GrowTime has resulted in the integration of Spotlight into automated lorries, which amplifies the benefits of the technology from both companies.

We are seeing that the implementation of technologies such as Spotlight not only increases productivity, but also optimises a company’s time and resources. 

As we watch the technology industry innovate, we can expect to see these types of solutions continue to evolve in the future, becoming even more advanced and tailored to individual growers’ needs. Intelligent mushroom harvesting systems such as Spotlight have the potential to further automate processes, which will directly lead to even greater production efficiency.

In the case of Wauwiler Champignons, the decision to order Spotlight devices for all its pickers was a logical step towards optimising production, and the results can serve as inspiration for other growers looking for modern solutions for their plantations. 

So if you too want to improve the efficiency of your business and are looking for cutting-edge solutions, choose Spotlight. Let technology lift your business above the competition. 

Spotlight on the GrowTime mushroom harvesting lorry range

Are you setting up a mushroom business? Planning to grow your business and looking for new solutions to increase efficiency and revenue? There are a number of opportunities worth investing in that can be naturally combined with the MycoSense Spotlights. 

One such solution is the state-of-the-art mushroom harvesting lorries that you will find in our GrowTime range. We offer our partners two lorries: the Newton and the Pascal.

The Newton lorry, equipped with an electric lifting system, is ideal for harvesting mushrooms from the lowest and highest shelves. Thanks to the adjustable seat, shelves and capacious box storage, picking becomes more comfortable and faster. What’s more, the lorry has a remote control for precise manoeuvring and the batteries with energy recovery function ensure long operation without the need for frequent recharging.

The Pascal model is a more advanced design, featuring a hydraulic lifting system and self-propelled drive. The remote control allows you to control the movement of the lorry as well as the platform, making harvesting from different heights much easier. In addition, the Pascal offers innovative features such as proximity chip logging, which increases security, and LED shelf lighting, which enhances working comfort, especially in low-light conditions. Powerful batteries and an integrated energy recovery system ensure long and reliable operation.

By integrating our lorries with Spotlight scanners, your team of pickers will not only benefit from the advantages of our lorries, but also improve productivity, which can increase by  30% or more.

You can also read more about our lorries here – What do you need to know before buying a mushroom harvesting lorry?

Summary

Every businessman knows that greater productivity translates directly into better profits. Investing in modern technology, such as the GrowTime automated lorries and additionally equipped with Spotlight from MycoSense can therefore quickly bring tangible financial benefits and raise the standard of work on your mushroom farm. 

Want to invest in something that will make a real difference to your mushroom farm? Get in touch with us! We will provide you with a highly efficient and sustainable solution!

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