Coco-bot: Smart climber set to revolutionise coconut harvesting

May 21, 2025 Innovation Valli Sarvani

Despite training nearly 33,000 climbers over 12 years, only a few hundred remain active. However, an innovation may soon end this crisis.

A team of four innovators from Kozhikode has developed Coco-bot, an AI-powered coconut harvesting robot.

Compact and lightweight, Coco-bot brings a futuristic solution to a growing problem.

It was created by Ashin P Krishna, founder and CEO of Altersage Innovations, who got the idea while staring at a coconut tree outside his bathroom.

Ashin, then a student, had earlier built an air-conditioner for the Indian Science Congress. Though it didn’t match the event’s theme, it reached the semi-finals of a global contest in China.

As a reward, he received a robotic tank chassis. Years later, during a moment of reflection, he envisioned using that base to solve an agricultural challenge.

His team developed the first prototype in 2021 after a year of R&D. In 2023, Coco-bot won first prize at the state-run Hackathon Vaiga.

This recognition attracted funding from Kerala Startup Mission and Nabard. The startup also gained support from Vadakara Coconut Farmers Producer Company and Kerala Agriculture University’s Raftaar incubator.

Coco-bot stands out for its intelligent design. It uses AI to identify and harvest mature coconuts. Unlike most machines, it needs only one operator and locks onto trees in five seconds.

It weighs just 10 kg and adapts to varying trunk shapes, making it ideal for Kerala’s diverse coconut plantations.

Currently semi-automatic, the robot will soon become fully automatic. This innovation not only reduces labour costs but also ensures faster, safer, and more efficient harvesting.

Companies like Marico Ltd, known for Parachute oil, have already taken notice. Coco-bot blends smart technology with real farming needs. It promises to boost productivity and ease the burden on farmers, offering a sustainable future for the coconut industry.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on April 03, 2017