Coco-bot AI Is Changing How Coconut Trees Are Harvested in South India

If you've ever travelled through Kerala, Tamil Nadu, or Karnataka, you’ve seen endless rows of coconut trees lining the roads and fields. Coconut farming is a way of life in many South Indian states. From chutneys and curries to oils and soaps, coconuts are everywhere. But while we enjoy the benefits, very few of us know just how risky it is to actually harvest them.

Climbing a 20-metre-tall coconut tree isn’t just hard—it’s dangerous. It takes serious skill, strength, and balance. Over time, fewer people have been willing to take up this tough job. Many farmers are stuck because they can’t find trained climbers, and even when they do, it’s not always safe or reliable. That’s where a smart little machine is stepping in—Coco-bot AI, a lightweight robot that climbs trees and plucks coconuts like a pro. It might sound futuristic, but it’s already making waves in Kerala.

Meet Coco-bot: A Small, Smart Robot with Big Goals

Coco-bot is a small, AI-powered robot built by 23-year-old Ashin P Krishna from Kozhikode, Kerala, along with his brother Arjun P Krishna. Their startup, Altersage Innovations Pvt Ltd, is backed by the Kerala Startup Mission in Kozhikode. They’ve also got support from NABARD, the Vadagara Coconut Producers Company, Maker Village, and IIM Kozhikode. Coco-bot is a compact AI-powered robot that climbs coconut trees, identifies ripe coconuts, and harvests them safely, eliminating the need for risky manual labour. Priced under Rs. 1 lakh, it’s designed to save time, boost efficiency, and create job opportunities, especially for women and youth in rural areas. 

So, how does Coco-bot work? The bot weighs less than 10 kg—lighter than most school bags—and looks a bit like a chunky gadget with arms. It wraps around the trunk of a coconut tree and climbs up just like a human would. Once it reaches the top, a robotic arm, powered by AI, plucks the coconuts and even trims the leaves. There’s a camera feed too, so the person operating it can see what’s happening in real time. All this can be controlled using a small remote or joystick, which anyone can learn to use in just a couple of hours. 

The best part? The bot can work anytime, day or night, and doesn’t need a break. That means harvesting can happen faster, safer, and even become a source of income for people in rural areas. Women from Kudumbashree units and local ASHA workers in Kerala are already being trained to operate the bot, opening new doors for employment and financial independence. The monthly income from operating it could go up to Rs. 18,000–20,000.

Ashin didn’t do this alone. His team at Altersage Innovations worked day and night, winning competitions like the Vaiga Agri Hackathon and earning support from NABARD and Kerala’s agriculture department. Even companies like Marico (the ones who make Parachute coconut oil) have taken notice. Right now, the team is working on upgrading the design to prepare it for large-scale production by 2025. Once that happens, Coco-bot could be seen climbing trees across India—not just in Kerala, but in all states where coconut farming is part of everyday life.

What Makes Coco-bot a Real Game Changer

Coco-bot shows that innovation doesn’t always need to be complex. Sometimes, a simple idea can solve a big problem. With farming getting harder and fewer people willing to do risky jobs, this robot might just be the helping hand that coconut farmers were waiting for. Who knew a coconut tree and AI could go hand in hand? Keep an eye out—Coco-bot could soon be climbing a tree near you.