[Startup Bharat] How Kochi-based NAVA Design and Innovation’s Sapper is tapping AI to automate neera extraction from coconut trees
1 May 2019 8:00 PM GMT
Kochi's NAVA Design and Innovation's claims to ease the process of neera extraction using AI, and increase the productivity of tappers by 72 percent.
![[Startup Bharat] How Kochi-based NAVA Design and Innovation’s Sapper is tapping AI to automate neera extraction from coconut trees](https://democracynewslive.com/h-upload/uid/ZQTfqOZnV7L9z3ixeJsGH6xSSYcl81B27943984.jpg "[Startup Bharat] How Kochi-based NAVA Design and Innovation’s Sapper is tapping AI to automate neera extraction from coconut trees")
- The tall palm trees that dot Kerala's landscape are a rich source of tender coconut water, and neera, a sap extracted from mature coconut palms trees.
- I always wondered why the process couldn't be automated," recalls Charles Vijay Varghese, 35.Years later, he founded Kochi-based NAVA Design and Innovation, which has developed Sapper, a neera extractor than claims to increase a tapper's productivity by 72 percent.
- NAVA's team comprises one full-time traditional tapper, two part-time tappers, who help with feedback, and five engineers (including Charles).
- The second challenge lay in creating awareness about the product among traditional Indian tappers need.
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