Media release
Mangaluru, Apr 28: Team BeeLink emerged victorious at the 30-hour national hackathon organised by the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bengaluru. The event witnessed participation from over 60 teams across India.
After an initial pitch, 28 teams were chosen for the intensive hackathon held on April 24and 25 at the CMTI Bengaluru campus. Organised by CMTI, an autonomous R&D institute under India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries, the prestigious National Design and Innovation Clinic (DIC) aims to inspire young minds to pursue scientific and engineering fields to contribute to a better India.
The evaluation jury panel was led by P B Kotur, global head - engineering academy, L & T Technology Services.
During the 30-hour design event, Team BeeLink created a hive monitoring device with an AI model for queen bee detection, paving the way for advancements in honey production and sustainable beekeeping practices. Their ingenious AI-powered device serves as a comprehensive solution for beekeepers, offering real-time hive management to boost productivity. The cost-effective and seamless add-on device empowers beekeepers to monitor critical issues like swarming, absconding, pest infestations, hive collapse, and theft through the BeeLink app interface.
Team BeeLink is led by Ajwin Dsouza, a final-year electrical engineering student and passionate beekeeper, and has Abdul Basith and Deepthi P from electrical engineering, along with Viola Rodrigues from Computer Science & Engineering. The interdisciplinary team also received support from Vaibhav Salian from Department of Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Joywin Bennis from Computer Science Engineering, and Joshua Quinthino Albuquerque from Electronics & Communication Engineering.
The team is mentored by Glenson Toney, assistant professor in the Department of Electronics & Communication, and guided by Jaswal, scientist B, Sensor Technology Development Centre, CMTI Bengaluru during the event.
“The beekeeping market is valued at over Rs 20 billion annually but relies heavily on manual labour with minimal technological intervention. With BeeLink’s features like disease detection, efficient hive management, and real-time monitoring, we aim to address these crucial challenges faced by beekeepers,” said team lead Ajwin.
While technology plays a vital role in improving honey production, ensuring the product’s viability in terms of implementation, scalability, and cost, especially in the Indian subcontinent, is equally important. “We intend to conduct field tests and further refine the product for real-world implementation,” said the mentor Glenson Toney.
BeeLink’s vision extends beyond mere innovation. It’s a tangible step towards a future where affordable technology empowers those working in agriculture. As news of their creation spreads it serves as a dual celebration: a recognition of this team’s brilliance and a powerful symbol of technology’s potential to transform traditional practices into modern success stories. The buzz around BeeLink is undeniable, and it’s sure to have a lasting impact on the beekeeping industry for years to come.