Two companies, one common challenge: Using AI for image recognition

We use our unique approach to innovation and research in tech to effectively solve real business challenges: the Innovation Sprint. The third Innovation Sprint is currently underway, where specialists from companies collaborate with researchers and doctoral students from the University of Borås. The aim is to develop solution proposals and prototypes together over a limited time period.

In this Innovation Sprint, two very different types of businesses meet and work together to find solutions to common problems: Care of Carl and Tranemo Metal. Both want to use AI for image and text recognition to streamline their processes, but in very different ways. To solve the challenges, we have put together a customised team of researchers from different departments at the University of Borås.

Aiming for more efficient logistics for Care of Carl

Care of Carl wants to use AI for text and image recognition to reduce manual processing in the supply chain. By training an AI model with neural networks, laundry labels on new garments can be read and the information imported directly into the ERP system. Instead of manual processing in several steps, it should be enough for a human to check the content. 

“This is an exciting experiment for us. In the Innovation Sprint, we have lots of new experiences and add knowledge to our toolbox by trying different models,” said Fredrik Lennström, Head of e-commerce at Care of Carl. We work on the sprint together on dedicated days. “e drop everything else and go in to be creative, which has been very fun and above all rewarding. It’s like an intensive education on my own terms.” 

AI and tech are for everyone, even manufacturing companies like Tranemo Metal

Meanwhile, Tranemo Metal is working side by side on a similar challenge. They want to develop an AI model that can read drawings and predict manufacturing time for more efficient, faster and more accurate quote management.

“AI is for everyone. Although we are basically a mechanical workshop, our machines are high-tech and the whole business is largely digitised. We want to be a role model in the industry when it comes to AI and sustainability. Therefore, we are now working to also facilitate our administrative processes,” said William Bertilsson, project manager and business developer at Tranemo Metal. 

Bringing together power and expertise from multiple sources

“For us as researchers, it is fantastic to be able to contribute to solving unique challenges at companies while learning about innovation processes and evaluating different models in AI and automation,” said Chandadevi Giri, senior lecturer at the Department of Engineering at the University of Borås. 

Together with colleagues Jonas Waidringer and Jens Wittsten from the same department, as well as Gustaf Juell-Skielse and Björn Dahlstrand from the Department of Information Technology, the team of specialists from Care of Carl and Tranemo Metal is working on regular workshops from December to March. The Innovation Sprint is carried out in collaboration between two different research projects in which both companies participate: Techarena Borås and “Automation and AI Applications in SMEs” funded by ÅForsk. 

Interest in the relationship between people and technology

In the coming weeks, there will be intensive work to finalise solutions using AI to solve the identified challenges.

“We are currently training a multimodal AI model that integrates information from both texts and images to solve business needs. From a research perspective, it is incredibly interesting to study the development of how humans and technology interact,” said Gustaf Juell-Skielse, professor at the Department of Information Technology and project manager for Techarena Borås.