In a remarkable innovation, Ashin P. Krishna, a 23-year-old youth from Kerala, has developed the Coco-bot, a cutting-edge AI-powered coconut harvesting robot. This robot is set to revolutionize the traditional methods of coconut harvesting, making it safer, faster, and more efficient. Coco-bot promises to change the way coconuts are harvested, addressing challenges faced by farmers and workers in the industry.
What is Coco-bot?
The Coco-bot is an Artificial Intelligence-driven robot designed to climb coconut trees and harvest coconuts without human intervention. With the ability to identify and pluck mature coconuts, this innovation significantly reduces the risks involved in manual harvesting, such as falls from heights and physical strain.
Key Features of Coco-bot:
- Lightweight and Easy to Handle: Weighing just 10 kilograms, the Coco-bot can be easily operated by a single person.
- AI Technology: The robot utilizes artificial intelligence to identify ripe coconuts and pluck them accurately.
- Quick Attachment System: The robot attaches to the tree trunk in just 5 seconds, ensuring quick and efficient operation.
- Adaptability: It can adapt to different tree trunk sizes and heights, making it versatile for various coconut tree types.
Coco-bot’s Potential for Coconut Farming
Coco-bot has been developed by Altersage Innovations Pvt Ltd with support from NABARD, IIM Kozhikode, and Kerala Agricultural University. This robot has the potential to revolutionize the coconut farming industry by offering an automated solution to a labor-intensive process.
The robot could improve the livelihoods of many coconut farmers, especially in rural areas, by reducing dependency on manual labor and mitigating safety risks. It also holds the promise of increasing the efficiency of coconut harvesting, helping farmers save time and resources.
A Step Toward Empowering Women Workers
One of the key benefits of Coco-bot is its ability to empower women and rural communities by offering them a stable income. Women workers, who often face challenges due to the physically demanding nature of traditional coconut harvesting, can now perform the task in a safer and more efficient manner, earning approximately ₹18,000 to ₹20,000 per month.
Recognition and Support
Ashin and his team at Altersage Innovations have received recognition and support from several key organizations such as Maker Village, Vadakara Coconut Producers Company, and Marico Ltd. Their hard work and innovation have opened new opportunities in the coconut industry and beyond, paving the way for more such technological advancements.