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Avatar meat processors? Virtual reality, automation future of meat industry

Kristen Sindelar
Mar 6, 2026
Mar 6, 2026

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Automation has become a normal part of our everyday lives. Avoiding late fees is effortless with automatic bill pay. Homes maintain a perfect temperature year-round with automated heating and cooling systems, while Roombas keep floors dirt-free without you even lifting a finger.

Automated poultry 1.JPG — Collaboration between a human and robot to load a chicken carcass onto a cone for further defabrication could become possible through virtual reality and automation. This is one of many projects by the Center for Scalable and Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing.
Midwest Messenger photo by Kristen Sindelar

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Automated poultry 2.jpg — Konrad Ahlin, right, demonstrates how to use the controller and virtual reality headset at the Heartland for Robotics Conference in October 2025.
Submitted photo by Julia McQuillan

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Automated poultry 3.jpg — Surprised delight was often the reaction of people working in a virtual reality environment.
Submitted photo by Julia McQuillan

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Automated poultry 4.jpg — To improve food safety, the Center for Scalable and Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing is designing an autonomous robot that can detect pathogens.
U of A System Division of Agriculture photo

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Reporter Kristen Sindelar has loved agriculture her entire life, coming from a diversified farm with three generations working side-by-side in northeastern Nebraska. Reach her at Kristen.Sindelar@midwestmessenger.com.