Coupang will expand its artificial intelligence (AI)-based quality control system to meet rising summer fruit demand.
Coupang said on the 31st it expanded the introduction of AI fruit sorters for tangerines, Korean melons, and watermelons in partnership with suppliers. The AI sorter uses non-destructive optical sensors and Computer Vision technology to precisely analyze a fruit's sugar content, moisture level, and internal condition.
Coupang said the AI sorter will significantly reduce the chance of shipping fruit that looks fine on the outside but is spoiled inside. It plans to screen for defects such as internal deterioration and hollow cores and improve the quality of Rocket Fresh dawn delivery volumes.
For watermelons, specialist graders have so far used percussion sorting, tapping by hand and analyzing the resulting sound waves. With the AI sorter, it can detect deep internal deterioration such as softened or spoiled centers, as well as hollow cores that make the fruit weigh less than its volume suggests.
Coupang is also strengthening on-site inspections at production areas for seasonal fruit. The Rocket Fresh quality assurance team and quality control team are now stationed in key growing regions such as Haman in South Gyeongsang and Buyeo in South Chungcheong to inspect the harvesting, sorting, and packing of watermelons and tomatoes.
It also moved to improve packaging. For watermelons, it applied double-protection packaging by wrapping the entire item with cushioning such as air caps and placing it in a dedicated box. It plans to apply this packaging method to key items vulnerable to impact, such as melons, grapes, and peaches.
A Coupang official said, "To ensure customers can enjoy high-quality fruit, we will combine cutting-edge technology with the expertise of our employees and partners to expand synergy," adding, "We will continue to advance innovative processes, including AI technology, to deliver Rocket Fresh's differentiated experience."