Sonofai Unveils AI Tuna Scanner for Faster, Smarter Grading
KAWASAKI, AND, SHIZUOKA, JAPAN, 9THAPRIL, 2025 – SONOFAI T-01 is a groundbreaking advancement in seafood processing that will revolutionize the tuna industry as it is the world’s first device that analyzes non-destructively the fat content in frozen albacore tuna by means of AI.
The device is a collaborative development of Sonofai Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Ishida Tec Co., Ltd., and Tokai University, and is slated for commercialization in June 2025.
SONOFAI T-01 utilizes Fujitsu’s advanced ultrasound analysis AI, part of its Kozuchi AI service, to automate and increase the accuracy of tuna grading.
From the traditional tail-cut visual inspection which was labor-intensive and subjective, the new inspection methods finish the job in 12 seconds with the help of just one inspector, thus reducing labor costs by 80%.
Sonofai’s innovation comes at a time when the demand for premium-grade tuna surges around the globe, with an observed increase of 25% in the last 20 years. By giving the most precise identification of high-fat sections of cut fish, such as bintoro, maximal product value is generated with minimum mislabeling and labor stress.
The technology has been trialed by Toyo Reizo Co., Ltd. and is more accurate compared with manual grading.
It is an important step toward digitalizing artisanal processes and ensuring a baseline of quality consistency. Developed through funding from the Marine Open Innovation Project in Shizuoka Prefecture, SONOFAI T-01 should see adoption by fisheries cooperatives and seafood processors domestically in Japan, before being marketed elsewhere.
“Tuna, gathered from fishing grounds around the world over approximately a year by deep-sea longline fishing vessels, is landed, sorted, and distributed nationwide at Shimizu Port in Shizuoka Prefecture. Each day, skilled professionals assess the quality of over 1,000 tuna, sorting them within seconds while maintaining their frozen state before transporting them to ultra-low-temperature storage facilities (below -50°C). Before shipment, the tail-cut grading process is conducted by expert assessors, who examine the cross-section of the tuna’s tail to determine its quality. Based on this assessment, the tuna is shipped to respective customers.
The device was trialed at Toyo Reizo Co., Ltd. in 2024. Kato Tokuhiro, Executive Officer, comments:
The newly developed technology is a groundbreaking innovation that enables precise assessment of internal fat content during the tail-cut grading process, addressing existing challenges in the industry. Looking ahead, we will continue to engage in initiatives that involve regional collaboration, industry-academia partnerships, and startups, striving to solve challenges in the fisheries industry through innovation.”
The device is planned for further enhancement by adding the assessment of fish freshness and body parameters, contributing to sustainable fishery practices and improved marine resource management.
Yasutomo Suzuki, Governor of Shizuoka comments:
“The fishing industry is a cornerstone of Shizuoka Prefecture’s economy, and its enduring health is paramount. This device offers the potential to revitalize the industry by supporting the discovery of previously overlooked high-quality tuna and enabling the development of valuable marine products. In addition, automating the selection process will reduce the burden of securing personnel and contribute to the sustainability of fisheries. Shizuoka Prefecture will continue to work with businesses to create and share new value on a global scale.”
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