MUMBAI, India, Feb. 27 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202541132857 A) filed by Nandha Engineering College, Erode, Tamil Nadu, on Dec. 29, 2025, for 'iot integrated design and development of semi-automated banana bunch harvester with smart collector.'
Inventor(s) include M. Prasanth; M. Abdul Hakkim; S. Arun; and P. Boomisha.
The application for the patent was published on Feb. 27, under issue no. 09/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "The project titled "JoT Integrated Design and Development of Semi-Automated Banana Bunch Harvester with Smart Collector" is developed to reduce manual labor, improve safety, and increase efficiency in the harvesting of banana bunches. In most bananagrowing regions, harvesting is still performed manually using knives or sickles, which is both time-consuming and physically demanding. The developed machine provides a Semi-automated solution that integrates mechanical, pneumatic, and electronic systems to perform the cutting, lifting, and collecting operations automatically with minimal human effort. The machine consists of a rectangular frame fabricated using mild steel (MS) angles and mounted on four wheels for easy movement in the plantation. A handle is provided for manual steering and positioning near the banana tree. Three pneumatic cylinders perform different functions-one operates a cutter bar to cut the banana stem, the second lifts the platform to receive the bunch, and the third tilts the container to unload the harvested bunches into a nearby trolley. The pneumatic system is powered by an air compressor, and the entire operation sequence is automated through an Arduino microcontroller, which controls the solenoid and control valves based on programmed logic. The system also includes loT sensors that count the number of harvested bunches and transmit the data wirelessly to the Blynk IoT application, allowing real-time monitoring and management. This feature ensures transparency, enhances productivity tracking, and helps prevent theft or data loss in the field. The harvested bunches are collected in a detachable trolley that can carry 5-10 bunches, simplifying field transport and handling. This project offers an innovative approach to agricultural automation by combining simple mechanical design with smart technology. It minimizes physical strain on workers, reduces fruit damage, and ensures a faster, safer, and more reliable harvesting process. 'Due to its low cost, portability, and ease of use, the Banana Bunch Harvesting Machine can be effectively adopted by small and medium-scale farmers, contributing to the modernization of banana cultivation practices and promoting sustainable agricultural development."
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
