Actually, these aren't simple devices at all. Good food-sorting machines can cost $30,000 or more. They are loaded up with optical sensors, intelligent paddle e

Actually, these aren't simple devices at all. Good food-sorting machines can cost $30,000 or more. They are loaded up with optical sensors, intelligent paddle ejectors and other goodies. Lots of software in them, too! Distinguishing between a "good" and "bad" leaf of lettuce at feed rates of 3,000 pieces a minute is a lot harder than it sounds. They succeed in the market because they make complex tasks seem simple. Sorry about the Duplo feeling, and it's a familiar lament of craftspeople everywhere. But we aren't going back to the days of artisans trimming lettuce heads one at a time. Too slow; too costly.