Our GPV is a fully automated system based on image processing, designed to measure the volume of timber piles transported on trucks from the forests to sawmills or pulp mills. Sweden stands strong as one of the world’s largest and most significant exporters of timber products, alongside global giants such as Canada and the United States of America.

Our eight GPV systems accurately measure over 6 million m3sub*, and with forthcoming installations we are predicting to nearly double this figure within just a few years.

*The term m3sub means ”solid cubic meter under bark” specifying the volume of timber excluding bark and tops.

Originally introduced in 2015, Mabma’s GPV system uses advanced camera-laser technology to precisely measure the volume of timber piles as they journey from the dense Swedish forests to sawmills and pulp mills. Our GPV system is at the starting line of an AI-driven transformation with unmatched precision, efficiency, and quality in sight. 

Only three percent of Sweden’s 41 million hectares of land is made of urban areas, and a mere seven percent is dedicated to agriculture. A further 22 percent falls under the quite uninformative classification of “Other land”. This leaves a staggering 68 percent of Sweden’s land area covered by dense forests, spanning nearly 28 million hectares¹ — an area that could be hard to imagine. 

Sweden stands strong as one of the world’s largest and most significant exporters of timber products, alongside global giants such as Canada and the United States of America². According to gathered data from the Swedish Forest Agency, the net volume (m³sub)∗, referring to the harvested volume of tree trunks utilized either wholly or partially in sawmills or pulp mills, was an impressive 77.1 million m³sub in 2021³. Within this extensive amount of timber harvest, our eight GPV systems accurately measure over 6 million m³sub, and with forthcoming installations we are predicting to nearly double this figure within a few years. Mabema’s GPV is a fully automated system based on image processing, designed to measure the volume of timber stacks transported on trucks from the forests to sawmills or pulp mills. Our first GPV system was put into operation back in 2015.  

The measurement process includes six camera-laser pairs, a color line scan camera, and five standard color cameras thoroughly positioned within a 30-meter-long tent. Upon arrival the truck driver registers their piles via a screen positioned in front of the tent. Subsequently, the truck passes through the tent at a controlled speed of maximum 5 kilometers per hour. It is while the truck transports the piles through the tent that the volume measurement takes place. The six camera-laser pairs collectively capture an astonishing 3000 images per second which are then stitched together to a comprehensive 3D image by the GPV system software. 

The GPV system provides measurement results that include solid wood volume over and under bark (including height, length, and width) and diameter distribution within the piles. Diameter distribution refers to determining how many of the logs in the timber piles fall within the pre-defined diameter ranges. This information allows sawmills and pulp mills to ascertain the optimal use of the timber in the pile. Logs within specific diameter ranges may be earmarked for distinct processing purposes, for instance logs within a smaller diameter range are not suitable for wide plank production. 

Since the initial installation in 2015, our GPV system has undergone a few important updates. Among these is the implementation of color cameras that ensured an entirely new level of accessibility. Images captured by these cameras are sent to a Biometria remote center, precluding the need for manual evaluations of the timber stacks by personnel on-site. While the core volume measurement technology has remained rather unaltered, new 3D cameras with a larger field of view are presently being integrated into the system with the first installation set to occur at Setra’s facility in Skinnskatteberg during the fall. The new more modern 3D cameras will increase the accuracy of our volume measurement and result in better images for the manual controls. 

To uphold the reliability of our measurement outcomes, random quality tests are undertaken by Biometria. These involve manual measurement of each log within the stack to yield precise volume and diameter distribution data. Impressively, when comparing the results of the random quality tests with the GPV system’s outcomes, there is a mean error of 0-1 percent. Our GPV system work 24/7 with very few stops and at the biggest sites we measure over 10.000 stacks every month. 

Last spring, we initiated a project to research whether we can further enhance our GPV system with the help of AI. After an exciting spring and summer, AI consultant and Postdoc Micael Karlberg and our GPV team, have been able to produce results with greater accuracy than before. Specifically, during this project Micael has focused on exploring whether the images from the color cameras, which currently are only used by Biometria for assessment, can be useful when determining diameter distribution in the GPV system.  

The future paves the way for AI to be implemented into more parts of the GPV system. Among the frontiers under consideration for future development projects lies the assessment of timber components designated as waste. In the forestry industry, waste refers to those parts of logs that are unsuitable for processing by sawmills or pulp mills, owing to factors such as irregular roots, log rot, unfavorable shape, and other similar considerations. Implementing this function to our GPV system would eliminate the need of manual work for personnel at Biometria and would lead to the first ever fully automated system for volume measurement of timber piles. 

“There is no definite end to industry automation in general. You could basically automate endlessly.” says Micael Karlberg. At Mabema we believe the relationship between AI technology and the timber industry in Sweden will continue to evolve and with GPV, we want to be at the forefront of that evolution.

¹(SCB, 2023) 

²(Skogsindustrierna, 2023) 

³(Skogsstyrelsen, 2022) 

∗The term m3sub meaning ”solid cubic meter under bark” specifying the volume of timber excluding bark and tops. 

These are challenging times, with great concern around the world. The last three years we had to experience the COVID-19 pandemic and in the beginning of last year a devastating war broke out in Ukraine. Unfortunately, these are challenges we must continue to confront in 2023. Despite the current situation in the world, there are big business opportunities. Sales of robotic automation have reached unprecedented levels with companies like Mabema capitalizing on the trend by increasing the number of cameras per sold robot. During 2022 we have carried out numerous replacements of outdated vision systems for customers seeking greater machine availability, a trend we think will continue in 2023.

As we move forward into the new year, we have the ambition to maintain our momentum and set new sales records. Simultaneously, we aim to accelerate the development of our product FINDER, which will feature additional smart functions and new cameras to better meet our customers’ needs. As the market grows it will be more and more important to put the customer in the center of product development.

While market uncertainty and an anticipated recession in traditional industries may have a negative impact, sectors such as energy and electrification are performing better than ever before. Regardless of the industry, it is now more crucial than ever to optimize production costs through increased automation.

We look forward to continued successful projects with our partners and customers throughout 2023.

Text: Peter Andersson, Head of Robot Vision

In 2001, with partially finished Master studies and his elite career in canoeing behind him, Magnus received a call about a summer job. A summer job that would turn out to be the starting point for Mabema.

Canoeing, drive, and determination.

When I asked Magnus about the peak moments of his canoeing career, he humbly claimed that he feels he had few to speak of. But to succeed in canoeing takes strength and will with grueling training and the lack of shortcuts. Despite his self-assessment, he had earned several National Cup medals, a Nordic Cup gold, an unofficial team World Cup gold, and he had the opportunity to participate in several world cups. A quick Google search revealed that Magnus was even mentioned in the Växjö canoe club’s history book six times – which I think is an achievement in itself.

However, Magnus’ canoeing career ended when he missed out on the Olympic qualification in 2000. Many people told him it was too early to quit at the age of 26, claiming he was just about to hit his stride. And Magnus admits, it may have been a bit too early.

But despite ending his canoeing career, the drive and determination have stayed, from elite sports to entrepreneurship. I quote Magnus:

“Coming in second in sports is really bad and in sales it’s completely worthless.” . So yes, the competitive spirit is still there.

The starting point for Mabema.

With his canoeing career behind him, Magnus made the decision to complete his Master degree in Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering in 2001. But it was during the spring of that same year, that a call came in offering him a summer job at Forsmark nuclear power plant, where he would repair and renovate radiation-resistant underwater cameras. Said and done. The following summer, Forsmark nuclear power plant invited him back. That is when Mabema was born.

“The first year I worked for another company, but in 2002 it was not possible to solve it in any other way than starting my own business.”

Starting off as a solo venture, Magnus was the only employee at Mabema. As the business began to grow, he sought the help of a friend, former study and canoeing buddy Pelle. The duo worked together, selling their services by the hour, repairing cameras all summer long. There was no business idea. Mabema was nothing more than a well-paid summer job alongside his Master studies at Linköping University.

His master thesis was finally written, presented and approved. The year was 2004 and Magnus found himself at a crossroads. He had the opportunity to either pursue a doctorate in Medical Image Analysis or focus solely on Mabema. And there was a market need, a business opportunity for Mabema.

Full time and all in.

When Autoliv and Carbex,  two big names in the industry, became Mabema’s first real customers, it was a momentous occasion. It was clear that Mabema was making progress, not at lightning speed, but it was moving forward steadily. For Magnus, the slower growth had its own set of advantages. Without investor money, there was no room for failure and every step had to be thoroughly calculated and well executed. Every move had to be right, most of the time at least.

Despite the consequences of failing, it is the major breakthroughs that Magnus can look back on and be proud of. The projects that seemed pitch black in the beginning but were eventually still solved in the end. A satisfied customer is a successful project.

For Magnus, the challenge of solving a customer’s problem is what ignites his passion. The thrill of getting to know a customer, understanding their needs and practically starting to see the solution during the customer visit is what drives him. Above all, it is about being able to clearly communicate and explain to the customers exactly what they are buying, even when the solution may be advanced and technical. This ability to connect with customers and find solutions to their problems is a great source of inspiration to Magnus.

But when it comes to the most fun thing about running and working at Mabema, he is certain:

“You can come into work on a Monday and feel a little bit off, but when there is energy flowing in the office, it spreads. I try to spread energy to others too, it’s important.”