Inspired by Chandrayaan I & II, Class 12 Student Develops "AgRobot Sathi" to Help Farmers

A 17-year-old student named Aryan Singh from Kota has been awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar for his AI-powered innovation of a rover that will prove helpful to farmers.

Singh who studies in class 12 stands as the sole nominee chosen for the award in the science and technology category. The recipients consist of nine boys and ten girls representing 18 states and Union Territories. President Droupadi Murmu presented the award at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on January 22. The following day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with all 19 awardees in Delhi.

Recognized for his AI-powered rover, 'AgRobot Sathi,' designed to aid farmers, Singh stands out in the science and technology category. The rover, inspired by Chandrayaan 2 and 3, uses AI sensors and cameras to offer farmers valuable insights, aiding in decision-making and enhancing crop productivity.

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The rover can maneuver itself on land where crops grow, being able to change its direction by sensing obstructions ahead. The sensors are designed to measure moisture content, temperature, and nutrient levels, while the cameras capture images of the crops, allowing for a visual analysis of their health and any signs of pests or diseases.

Its key element is the specially designed algorithms to analyze the incoming data to provide meaningful insights. In all demonstrations in India and abroad, the rover has successfully identified the issues affecting crop health. The resulting impact is data or analysis that is transmitted to the phone with suggestions, allowing farmers to optimize inputs like water, fertilizers, and pesticides based on specific conditions, said an elated Singh.

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Currently priced at Rs 50,000, the rover's cost is projected to decrease by approximately 20% with large-scale production. The agriculture ministry plans to manufacture 1,000 units after studying the project's success. Singh's innovation, conceived during the lockdown, reflects his dedication to transform agriculture through automation.

In contrast to his peers in Kota aspiring for careers in engineering and medicine, Singh's passion lies in agriculture. Expressing his enthusiasm, he seeks a degree in agriculture with the overarching goal of instigating an automation revolution in a sector that employs 70% of Indians. According to him, the rover represents just the initial step, and he plans to explore more advanced features once it is successfully implemented.

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