In a quiet Kozhikode neighborhood, a Class 6 boy once transformed his balcony into a makeshift theater, sparking a lifelong passion for creation. Fast forward to 2025, and that boy, Ashin P Krishna, now 23, is reshaping the future of coconut farming with Coco-bot, a semi-automatic, AI-powered robot that makes one of agriculture’s most dangerous tasks safer and more efficient. As the founder of Altersage Innovations, Ashin’s journey from curious tinkerer to agritech trailblazer is a testament to resilience, originality, and a commitment to social impact.
A Spark of Originality
Ashin’s love for building began early, inspired by animated shows on POGO and Max TV. Until Class 8, he replicated projects he saw, but a pivotal conversation with his parents changed everything. “Why don’t you create something new?” they asked. The question struck deep, igniting a drive to innovate rather than imitate.
By Class 9, Ashin built a mini smart portable Android projector without tutorials, a project that solidified his confidence in his ability to create independently. “That project made me believe I could actually innovate,” he told The Better India. From then on, he vowed that every creation would be unique, purposeful, and socially impactful.
A Setback That Planted a Seed
Ashin’s early innovations earned him recognition. In 2019, his energy-efficient smart portable air conditioner won third place at the state level in the 46th Jawaharlal Nehru National Science, Mathematics and Environment Exhibition (JNNSMEE). Expectations were high for the Indian Science Congress, but the event’s agriculture theme disqualified his project. The missed opportunity to present before national leaders left a lasting sting. “I was just 17. That regret stayed with me,” Ashin admitted.
Yet, this setback would soon inspire his greatest invention.
The Bathroom Epiphany
In January 2020, while bathing and gazing at the coconut trees outside his Kozhikode home, Ashin had a vision: a robot climbing trees to harvest coconuts. The idea was sparked by a TS100 tank chassis he’d received from a robotics contest in Shenzhen, China, and fueled by the agriculture theme that had once excluded him. “It was a blurred futuristic visual, and in the next 10 minutes, I confirmed that it is going to be my next project,” he shared with Onmanorama.
Determined to create something original, Ashin spent 2020 researching and developing Coco-bot without referencing existing models. Despite college commitments slowing progress, his vision remained unwavering.
Building Coco-bot: A Team Effort
In 2023, Ashin’s prototype won top honors at the 36-hour Vaiga Agri Hackathon, catching the attention of NABARD, Vadagara Coconut Producers Company, and Professor Shaseendran. This support, combined with funding from Kerala Startup Mission and Kerala Agriculture University’s Raftaar agri-business incubator, propelled the project forward.
Ashin officially founded Altersage Innovations in August 2024, assembling a small but dedicated team, including CTO Gokul Krishnan and AI head Alosh Denny. Together, they developed Coco-bot, a lightweight (under 10 kg), AI-trained robot that mounts coconut trees in seconds and operates via a user-friendly console. Its robotic arm, designed to mimic human hand movements, was the most complex component to perfect. Once mounted, Coco-bot climbs trees at human-like speed, harvesting coconuts and leaves or performing maintenance tasks around the clock.
Empowering Communities
Coco-bot is more than a technological marvel—it’s a tool for empowerment. Coconut harvesting is a declining profession due to its physical risks and skill demands. Altersage aims to deploy Coco-bot across Kerala’s districts and panchayats, training Kudumbashree women and ASHA workers to operate it, potentially earning up to ₹20,000 monthly. By making harvesting safer and more accessible, Coco-bot could revitalize interest in this vital industry, supporting small-scale farmers and rural economies.
The Road to Market
Currently, Altersage is refining the second iteration of Coco-bot, with a market-ready version slated for release by late 2025. Priced under ₹1 lakh, the robot is designed to be affordable for small farmers and cooperatives. Backed by NABARD, Maker Village, IIM Kozhikode, and Vadagara Coconut Producers Company, Altersage has also piqued the interest of industry giant Marico Ltd., makers of Parachute coconut oil.
The startup is actively seeking investors to scale production and expand its reach, with plans to transform coconut farming not just in Kerala but across India and beyond.
A Vision Rooted in Purpose
For Ashin, Coco-bot is more than a business—it’s the culmination of a dream that began on a balcony and crystallized in a bathroom. His story is a powerful reminder that setbacks can fuel innovation and that purpose-driven technology can transform lives. As The New Indian Express noted, “The journey started from my bathroom,” but it’s now climbing coconut trees and inspiring a new era of agritech.
From a Class 6 dreamer to a 23-year-old CEO, Ashin P Krishna is proving that with creativity, resilience, and a commitment to social good, even the tallest trees are within reach.
About Altersage Innovations
Altersage Innovations, based in Kochi, Kerala, is an agritech startup dedicated to revolutionizing agriculture through robotics and AI. Learn more at altersageinnovations.com or contact them at altersageinnovations@gmail.com or +91 9847429917.
Here are their official platforms:
🌐 Website
- Official Site: altersageinnovations.com
📱 Social Media
- Instagram: @altersageinnovations
- LinkedIn: Altersage InnovationsLinkedIn
For inquiries or collaborations, you can reach them via email at altersageinnovations@gmail.com or call +91 9847429917.
