IIT Roorkee Unveils at IInvenTive 2024
The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, at the IInvenTive 2024, introduced a significant advancement in agricultural technology with the ‘Smart Coconut Sensor.’ This innovative device, developed by the Plant Molecular Biology Group from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, led by PratibhaDemiwal, Rittika Ray, and spearheaded by DebabrataSircar, offers a rapid and non-destructive method for assessing the quality of coconuts.
Given the economic importance of coconut in India, one of the leading producers and exporters of the fruit, the quality assessment of coconuts is crucial for various industries. Coconut products such as tender coconut water, copra, and coconut oil are in high demand both domestically and internationally. However, identifying the quality of coconuts has been a challenge due to their hard covering, which makes it difficult to determine if the coconut is spoiled or healthy.
The ‘Smart Coconut Sensor’ addresses this challenge effectively. It can non-destructively differentiate between good and spoiled mature dehusked coconuts at the pre-processing stage. This patented technology boasts an accuracy of more than 80% and is capable of detecting spoiled coconuts in less than 30 seconds, making it a valuable tool for coconut industries dealing with large quantities of the fruit.
This technological breakthrough is particularly significant for large-scale industries and food companies that utilize coconut water and other coconut-based products. The ability to rapidly and accurately assess coconut quality will not only enhance the efficiency of processing but also ensure the quality of the final product.
The project, funded by the Coconut Development Board, has been jointly granted a patent to the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and the Coconut Development Board. This collaboration underscores the importance of industry-academia partnerships in driving innovation and addressing real-world challenges.
The development of the ‘Smart Coconut Sensor’ by IIT Roorkee represents a major leap forward in agricultural technology. It promises to transform the coconut industry by providing a quick, reliable, and non-invasive method for quality assessment, ultimately benefiting both producers and consumers.
For more information about this innovative technology, interested parties are encouraged to contact DebabrataSircar at debabrata.sircar@bt.iitr.ac.in.
– Rashmi Kumari
