Instruments created by engineers to solve a
problem the industry has tolerated for decades.
High quality fruit, waste reduction,
optimized throughput. Everyone wins.
CTO David Rhodes spent over a decade developing electrically pumped, electronically-controlled systems for rocket propulsion — work that produced foundational patents in that field. David is an expert in robust, high speed, low power electronic systems. VPE Michael Wood's background spans product design across fruit handling systems, medical devices, and automated equipment. Close colleagues for over 25 years, David and Michael share a deep passion for instrument design, measurement, physics, and solving previously unsolved problems. That shared passion is what led to the founding of Real Instruments.
We didn't set out to build instruments
We set out to turn the lights on for an industry that had been working in the dark on this question for decades.
The instruments are simply what it took to see what had been there all along.
Real Instruments Limited was founded by David Rhodes and Michael Wood. David is an award-winning aerospace engineer whose work produced foundational patented technology in electrically-pumped rocket propulsion. Michael is a product designer with experience in precision fruit handling systems and the foundational design of a world-first complete knee replacement. The project that became Real Instruments started seven years ago.
Real Instruments Limited is based in New Zealand. The system was developed and field-tested in New Zealand before being made available internationally.
The instrument has been in commercial field use for three seasons. Every client who has trialed the system has gone on to use it commercially. All existing clients have increased their investment in the system over that period.
Yes. The foundational technology underlying the RealAppleIQ™ sensor is patented and was developed specifically for this challenging application.
Because it needs to behave like one. The physical design — weight, size, buoyancy, and segmented construction — is not aesthetic. Every dimension is matched to a commercial apple so that the instrument experiences every force, every transfer, and every drop exactly as real fruit does. If it didn’t match the apple physically, the data wouldn’t reflect what the fruit experiences.
Real Instruments is actively expanding internationally. The system is designed for any commercial apple handling operation regardless of location. Contact us to discuss availability in your region.
Most bruise detection systems in the industry identify damage after it has already occurred — sorting fruit at the grader or at the packout. RealAppleIQ™ measures the forces that cause bruising before they produce visible damage. The distinction matters: detection tells you what was lost; measurement tells you why, and what to change. RealBruiseIQ™ adds the calibration layer that makes that measurement specific to your fruit.
Yes. Contact us to arrange a demonstration — either at your facility, or remotely. We are happy to walk prospective clients through a real measurement run and answer any questions in detail.
