Artificial intelligence and data science are growing in importance and Neuhaus Neotec is exploring how it can use them to revolutionise coffee manufacturing and processing.
Knowledge of coffee machinery, processing, and technology has traditionally been passed down from master to apprentice, with expertise to improve operations formed over generations.
While this is still the case in some settings, a new generation of co-worker is in development that can offer real-time insights into production lines, remain active and engaged at all times, and help fix problems before they even happen.
As such, processing plant manufacturer Neuhaus Neotec is exploring the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science to continue to maintain coffee quality while improving efficiency and sustainability.
The company has built coffee processing plants for producers of all sizes for more than 50 years and has long been a leader in trialling new manufacturing methods for the global industry.
Now, it is once again turning to emerging technologies to implement new measures into its plants to aid in a range of outcomes, from knowing when machines require advance service to reduce unnecessary maintenance, to completing automatic adjustments within grinders to ensure a consistent particle size.
In 2023, Edwin Calla Durandal joined the Neuhaus Neotec team to investigate new projects that could see the business more effectively utilise AI and data science.
Calla Durandal is the former Head of Mechatronics Engineering at the Catholic University of Bolivia in Cochabamba, prior to which he was a professor and researcher at the same university as well as a tech startup engineer.
He has developed three key projects alongside Neuhaus Neotec following discussions with experts, researchers, and clients: artificial intelligence (NaNi), predictive maintenance with machine learning, and data-driven controllers.
The manufacturer has also invested in a powerful Nvidia GPU server that can run large language models (LLMs) with big data sets to tackle the new projects and ambitions that come with them.
With a goal of improving both economic and environmental resource management for Neuhaus Neotec’s clients, Calla Durandal says it’s critical to bridge the gaps between automation, digitalisation, and personalisation to create a more efficient production future for the coffee industry.
“A close collaboration between all professionals is needed, together with constant learning without fear of these disruptive technologies,” he says.
“People have the expertise and creativity needed to succeed. More changes are coming, and we must adapt as best we can. This takes time and there is no better moment than the present to start.”
He adds cybersecurity is also of the utmost importance to the project.
“All measures are being considered in order to ensure information remains safe with the highest ethical standards,” he says.
NaNi is being trained using knowledge from Neuhaus Neotec to create new possibilities in automation, while the predictive maintenance project is already progressing well. All three projects, according to Calla Durandal, are beginning to bear fruit.
“NaNi is an artificial intelligence in-house premises running different LLMs to improve and cooperate with different internal departments. The results allow an increase in operational agility and seamless integration with operational workflows. The main highlight is the technology appropriation from Neuhaus Neotec workers,” he says.
“The predictive maintenance with machine learning project has already proven its worth. Multiple tests were considered both internally and with customers. Improvements between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) are under research with test bench implementations to ensure high-quality final products.
“The operational advantages are already saving time and resources thanks to the time window of prediction, allowing to avoid downtimes and unnecessary maintenance costs that also affect the productivity of the companies.”
This promise being shown means the next step is to include coffee roasters to test real-world application. Calla Durandal says it is not beyond the realms of possibility for this technology to be used to test different recipes using mathematical models from roasters.
“The data-driven controllers are an advanced control technique that work specifically with data in real-time. This allows us to achieve multiple goals with the machines such as reducing energy consumption, better integration of electric burners with gas burners, and so on,” he says.
“This project is currently under research and, so far, has shown promising results in mathematical simulations. The next steps would be in-house real-time tests with small roasters, as the simulation with big roasters’ data gave positive results.
“The pace of technology is growing exponentially, and it is important to be wise enough to advance forward with firm, stable, and constant steps without forgetting our trajectory and high standards related with products, services, and professionals. We must be curious and remember that we are eternal apprentices.”
Despite ongoing discussions around the world about AI’s potential to remove the human aspects from a range of industries and professions, Calla Durandal says it is the human influence that allows projects like Neuhaus Neotec’s to succeed.
“The synergy between data science and knowledge from experts creates smarter systems. The data together with the right algorithms is powerful, but it is the insights from human expertise that makes them truly effective,” he says.
“This combination enhances decision making and ensures real-world adaptation and applicability.
“Neuhaus Neotec is working with a cross-disciplinary mentality to bridge the theory with practice, resulting in novel situations and turning itself into a data-driven company.”
For more information, visit neuhaus-neotec.com
This article was first published in the September/October 2025 edition of Global Coffee Report. Read more HERE.
