Revolutionizing Tuna Quality Assessment: Fujitsu and Sonofai's Innovative AI Ultrasound Machine

In a significant advancement for the seafood industry, Japanese technology giant Fujitsu and startup Sonofai have introduced "Sonofai," a machine that utilizes ultrasound technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the fat content of frozen tuna. This innovation aims to streamline the quality evaluation process, which traditionally involves manual inspection methods.

Assessing the fattiness of tuna is crucial, as it directly influences the fish's quality and market value. Traditionally, this evaluation required inspectors to cut the tail of the fish to visually examine a cross-section—a process that took approximately 60 seconds per tuna and depended heavily on the expertise of the inspectors. This method not only reduced the value of the tuna but also posed challenges in maintaining hygiene and efficiency.

Sonofai revolutionizes this process by scanning an entire frozen tuna in just 12 seconds without any physical incision. Utilizing ultrasound waves, it generates a diagram that indicates the fat content of the fish. The system is designed to be operated by personnel without specialized training, making the process cleaner, safer, and more efficient.

The technology behind Sonofai is akin to medical ultrasound scans, which use high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal body structures. In this application, the ultrasound waves penetrate the frozen tuna, and the reflected signals are analyzed by AI to differentiate between fat and lean meat. Fatty tissues absorb fewer sound waves compared to lean tissues, allowing the system to accurately map the fat distribution within the fish. Notably, this method avoids the use of harmful radiation, ensuring safety for both operators and the product.

Set to launch in June 2025, each Sonofai unit is priced at approximately 30 million yen (around $207,000). The primary target markets include fish-processing companies and fishing organizations in Japan, with plans for international expansion. Future enhancements to the system may encompass evaluations of fish freshness and firmness, further broadening its applicability in the seafood industry.

The development of Sonofai builds upon earlier collaborative research between Fujitsu and Tokai University. In December 2022, they announced the creation of an AI technology using ultrasound waves to inspect the freshness of frozen tuna without cutting the tail—a world-first achievement. This technology achieved an accuracy rate of 70% to 80%, offering the potential to improve trust across the distribution chain while enhancing safety and quality for consumers.

The introduction of Sonofai reflects the growing global demand for high-quality tuna and sushi, driven by the increasing popularity of Japanese cuisine worldwide. By automating and refining the quality assessment process, this innovation can lead to more consistent product quality, potentially increasing consumer trust and satisfaction. Additionally, the crossover of medical ultrasound techniques into food processing exemplifies the versatility and expanding applications of medical technologies in other industries.

By providing a non-destructive, rapid, and accurate method for assessing tuna quality, Sonofai represents a significant advancement in the seafood industry, aligning with global trends toward automation and technological integration in food processing.