Kozhikode Youths Develop AI-Powered 'Coco-Bot' To Solve Kerala's Coconut Farming Woes
Four young men from Kozhikode have introduced a groundbreaking AI-powered machine, 'Coco-Bot', designed to revolutionise coconut harvesting.
The once-thriving tradition of climbing coconut trees to harvest the crop is rapidly fading in Kerala, leaving farmers in distress. Despite efforts by the Coconut Development Board, which trained 32,925 individuals in the past 12 years, only 673 remain active in this profession today. To address this crisis, four enterprising youths from Kozhikode have introduced a groundbreaking AI-powered machine, ‘Coco-Bot’, designed to revolutionise coconut harvesting.
While coconut-cutting machines have entered the market before, ‘Coco-Bot’ stands apart with its efficiency and ease of use. This semi-automatic device requires only one operator, making it a practical solution for farmers struggling with labour shortages. Coconut farmer K Sadanandan, who has tested the innovation, lauded its performance, stating, “With Coco-Bot, harvesting coconuts has become remarkably easier. It saves both time and effort."
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The inspiration for ‘Coco-Bot’ came from an unexpected place – the bathroom. In 2020, Ashwin P Krishna, the founder of Coco-Bot, was gazing at a coconut tree from his balcony when a question struck him: Can an automated machine be designed for coconut harvesting? This spark of curiousity led to rigorous research and development, culminating in the creation of ‘Coco-Bot’ with the support of his dedicated team.
Ashwin and his team put their idea to the test at a hackathon, where their innovation received widespread recognition. Their success attracted financial backing from NABARD and government agencies, propelling ‘Coco-Bot’ from a concept to reality. NABARD District Development Manager Riyas Muhammad expressed pride in their contribution, stating, “We are honoured to support this initiative, which holds immense potential to transform the lives of coconut farmers."
Currently, ‘Coco-Bot’ operates as a semi-automatic device, but its developers have ambitious plans to refine it into a fully automated system, further enhancing efficiency. A pilot trial run is scheduled for the first half of 2025, marking a crucial step in testing its real-world viability.
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