Woolworths uses VR headsets as part of avocado supply-chain tech rollout

Avocado pickers, packers and Woolworths staff are wearing virtual reality headsets in an attempt to smooth out the entire avocado supply chain.

Launched in Adelaide this week, the VR tech has been funded by not-for-profit industry researcher Hort Innovation with Avocados Australia and Woolworths.

“This is a genuinely collaborative end-to-end program built on the latest technology that will really enhance our commitment to delivering the quality avocados our customers demand and expect,” Woolworths fresh food commercial director Louis Eggar said.

“From growers right across the country, our horticulture industry produces the most consistently amazing quality fresh fruit and vegetables.

“As a retailer, we’re keen to support truly innovative approaches like this that can give our teams a ‘real world’ understanding of the horticultural supply chain from orchard to store.”

Avocados Australia chief executive John Tyas said the handling of the fruit was crucial to quality.

“Each member of our supply chain, from farm to retail, plays a critical role in delivering high quality Australian avocados to consumers,” he said.

“This program aims to standardise training at each point in the supply chain to deliver a more consistent eating experience for consumers and strengthen our industry’s commitment to delivering a high-quality and valued product.”

The program has been in development for a year and attendees at the Avo Connections conference in Adelaide on Monday got a hands-on look. People using the tech see instructions, tips and tests on how to handle the fruit.

Images shared by Avocados Australia show the point of view of someone using the Google virtual reality.

At the orchard, the user needs to manoeuvre the collection sack over a large plastic crate, presumably to gently pile up the fruit. Another view on the orchard gives options to look at tips on how to protect the crate fulls from the elements. Warehouse packers are also given a view of how to pack boxes in the most space-efficient ways.

The technology will be used to quickly train the seasonal workers inherent in the fruit picking industry and up to 18,000 Woolworths staff.

Woolworths will start using the VR headsets and tech in 1100 stores across the country from July 1.