Bengaluru Startup Collaborates With ICAR-IIHR To Develop India’s First Mobile Auto Defect Detector For Mangoes

A Bengaluru-based machine vision startup, Zentron Labs has collaborated with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) to develop India’s first mobile auto defect detector for mangoes.

Sponsored by the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and backed by the Karnataka State Mango Development and Marketing Corporation Limited (KSMDMCL), the product was displayed at the National Horticulture Fair 2025, organised by the ICAR-IIHR at Hesaraghatta.

How does the machine help in mango grading?

To help farmers export the best-quality mangoes, the machine can grade nearly 10 tonnes of the fruit daily.

Interestingly, the machine uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to compare the X-ray imaging with the ideal quality. Also, it has a 15-inch touchscreen display for real-time monitoring.

The machine takes X-rays of the mangoes placed inside the crate to check internal quality and identify issues such as seed weevil damage and spongy tissue, which are not apparently visible.

Incidentally, the machine is not yet commercially available, and will not be introduced to the market at least for the next two years.

However, it will be available on lease to farmers and companies to test the quality of their mangoes at Rs 30 per dozen, as stated by company representatives present at the stall on Friday.

“Traders, farmers and consumers will benefit from such technology because this will help them avoid any losses that come from defective products,” shared Jagadeesh Sunkad, strategic marketing and collaboration officer, at Zentron Labs.

What next from Zentron Labs?

Besides, the startup has also created lane-based and compact optical graders that will separate fruits by size, colour, weight and any visible defects.

These machines will be delivered to the KSMDMCL, along with the internal defect detector in this mango season for testing purposes.

As reported by the Deccan Herald, these graders cost at least Rs 25 lakh per unit and have a capacity of up to one tonne an hour. It has the capacity to grade apples, dragon fruits, pomegranates, tomatoes and other round fruits.

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