In a detailed study of 240 professional coconut tree climbers in rural southern India, 35.5% (78 out of 220 climbers) reported falling from trees during their careers. These Falls often resulted in serious injuries, including fractures (Colles fracture, spinal fractures, maxillary fractures), tendon injuries, and severe allergies. Four fatalities and two cases of permanent paraplegia were reported in the survey area. However, this startup from Kozhikode is on its way to solve this problem.\
Meet Altersage Innovations, the startup that is making waves with its groundbreaking product, Coco-bot — an AI-powered coconut harvester designed to transform the traditional and labor-intensive process of coconut harvesting.
The Genesis of Coco-bot
The idea for Coco-bot was born in an unusual setting — the bathroom of Ashin P Krishna, the 23-year-old founder and CEO of Altersage Innovations. In 2020, while reflecting on his missed opportunity to attend the Indian Science Congress due to a non-agriculture-related project, Ashin’s gaze fell upon a coconut tree outside his bathroom window. This sparked a visionary idea: a robot that could climb coconut trees and harvest nuts autonomously.
Ashin, a mechanical engineering graduate from JDT Islam College, Kozhikode, assembled a team and embarked on a year-long research and development journey. By 2021, they had built their first prototype. The project gained momentum with funding and incubation support from Kerala Startup Mission’s Maker Village, IIM Kozhikode, Kerala Agriculture University’s Raftaar agri-business incubator, and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
What Sets Coco-bot Apart?
Unlike other coconut-climbing robots, Coco-bot stands out for its compactness, lightweight design (weighing only 10 kg), and advanced AI capabilities. The robot is trained on extensive datasets to identify mature coconuts accurately, enabling selective harvesting. This AI-driven precision reduces wastage and optimizes yield.
Currently semi-automatic, Coco-bot requires just one operator, a stark contrast to traditional harvesting that often needs three or more skilled climbers. The robot’s adaptable locking mechanism secures it to various tree trunk shapes within five seconds, ensuring stability and efficiency during operation.
Market Potential and Industry Interest
The scarcity of trained coconut climbers is a critical issue in Kerala and other coconut-growing regions. According to the Coconut Development Board, among nearly 33,000 climbers trained over 12 years, only 673 remain active, highlighting a severe labor shortage. Coco-bot addresses this gap by offering a safer, more efficient alternative.
The innovation has attracted attention from Marico Ltd, the maker of the iconic Parachute coconut oil brand. This interest signals strong commercial potential and validates the product’s relevance to large-scale coconut farming operations.
Achievements and Recognition
Altersage Innovations’ Coco-bot won first prize at the 36-hour Hackathon Vaiga, organized by the Kerala government in 2023, which further propelled the startup’s visibility and funding opportunities. The team continues to refine the product, aiming for a fully automated version that will further reduce human intervention.
The Team and Future Plans
Alongside Ashin, the leadership includes Gokul Krishnan as CTO and Alosh Denny heading AI development. The startup is actively seeking additional funding to scale production and expand market reach
This breakthrough highlights the growing role of AI and robotics in Indian agritech, offering a glimpse into a future where smart machines help sustain age-old farming practices with modern efficiency.
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