St Joseph Engineering College’s Team BeeLink achieved victory at the 30-hour national hackathon hosted by the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) in Bengaluru. The event drew participation from over 60 teams nationwide, with 28 teams advancing to the intensive two-day hackathon, culminating on April 25. The National Design and Innovation Clinic (DIC), organized by CMTI, aimed to inspire young minds towards scientific and engineering pursuits for the betterment of India.
Innovative Solution for Beekeeping Advancements
Under the leadership of Ajwin D’Souza, a final-year electrical engineering student and avid beekeeper, Team BeeLink developed a hive monitoring device integrated with an AI model for queen bee detection. This innovative solution promises advancements in honey production and sustainable beekeeping practices. The cost-effective add-on device, accompanied by the BeeLink app interface, enables beekeepers to monitor critical aspects such as swarming, absconding, pest infestations, hive collapse, and theft seamlessly.
Team Composition and Mentorship
Team BeeLink comprises Abdul Basith, Deepthi P from electrical engineering, Viola Rodrigues from computer science and engineering, with support from Vaibhav Salian (artificial intelligence and machine learning), Joywin Bennis (computer science engineering), and Joshua Quinthino Albuquerque (electronics and communication engineering). The team receives guidance from Glenson Toney, assistant professor in electronics and communication, and Jaswal, scientist B, sensor technology development centre, CMTI Bengaluru.
Vision and Implementation
Ajwin emphasized the significance of BeeLink’s features in addressing critical challenges faced by beekeepers, aiming to revolutionize the industry currently reliant on manual labor. Mentor Glenson Toney underscored the product’s viability in terms of implementation, scalability, and cost, particularly in the Indian context. The team expressed intentions to conduct field tests and refine the product for real-world implementation, showcasing their commitment to practical solutions in beekeeping.
