Boston Dynamics should make a monkey robot for this application.
Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
161–170 of 180 posts
Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#162Earlier quoted context omitted.
The caste system existed long before Europeans ruled India. Caste system has roots in the Vedic society. "The varnas originated in Vedic society (c. 1500–500 BCE). The first three groups, Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishya have parallels with other Indo-European societies, while the addition of the Shudras is probably a Brahmanical invention from northern India." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_In…
... "there is no evidence in the Rigveda for an elaborate, much-subdivided and overarching caste system" [1] Caste and any discrimination is abhorrent, and like others have commented is a more recent phenomenon. In old times and today, anyone can become a priest/Brahmin by learning. [2] 1. Same wikipedia page 2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/first-bat...
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Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#163Earlier quoted context omitted.
The caste system existed long before Europeans ruled India. Caste system has roots in the Vedic society. "The varnas originated in Vedic society (c. 1500–500 BCE). The first three groups, Brahmins, Kshatriyas and Vaishya have parallels with other Indo-European societies, while the addition of the Shudras is probably a Brahmanical invention from northern India." Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_In…
... "there is no evidence in the Rigveda for an elaborate, much-subdivided and overarching caste system" [1] Caste and any discrimination is abhorrent, and like others have commented is a more recent phenomenon. In old times and today, anyone can become a priest/Brahmin by learning. [2] 1. Same wikipedia page 2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/amaravati/first-bat...
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Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#164I feel like a drone with image processing and a saw blade is a far better solution here.
The similar idea I've been pondering for a few years now is a drone with a laser-scalpel of some sort, paired with a ring shaped net to prevent the coconuts from splitting when they hit the ground. The laser would cut the whole cluster, instead of individual coconuts, for power-consumption's sake, so the net would have to be strong enough to accommodate that. I pondered it with a saw blade at first, but the cluster's stem is not firm enough, making it hard to even saw by hand with a pole saw.
Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#165Earlier quoted context omitted.
Done right, it's the opposite for me. Those monkeys can live a happy life in the same way as an ox that pulls a tiller.
> Those monkeys can live a happy life in the same way as an ox that pulls a tiller. Those are very strong implications you are making. What makes you think an ox that pulls a tiller is _happy_? Generally enslaving an animal to do something is considered unethical. How we much of "unethical" we accept as a society is a completely different matter though.
> Generally enslaving an animal to do something is considered unethical.
This is about as far from the truth as it's possible to be.
Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#166Earlier quoted context omitted.
It seems like you're answering on behalf of a large group of people with differing views that your comment doesn't at all reflect. I, for one, oppose this monkey labor and I would argue I don't have more empathy for "animals than for humans." I try to be equal in many respects and would oppose humans being coerced into doing this as well. It's why I oppose slavery, for instance.
Why would you have an issue with monkey labour when bulls et are routinely used for farming and transportation in India?
If I understand your point correctly that monkey labor in Thailand is fine because bulls are used for labor in India, I don't follow. Why are using bulls in India justified for you, and why does that justify monkeys in Thailand?
As the other commenter said, why would you assume I even have an opinion on Indian bulls, let alone supporting their labor?
Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#167Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am from a southern district of Tamil Nadu. Here, we follow a different method to cut the coconuts. The harvesters do not climb the tree. Instead, they tie together bamboo poles to form one long pole and tie a sickle to one end. The harvester then cuts the coconut bunch from the ground. It is much more efficient and faster than climbing the trees. When I was young, I was fascinated by their craft. They are so good,…
I would love to see someone come up with an ingenious solution for a similar job, but is much more dangerous, difficult and nuanced - climbing palm (palmyra) trees to get palmyra juice. The tools they use are a loop made of fiber from palmyra leaf and a leather shield. The பனையேரி (literally means palmyra climber) wears the loop over their foot and the leather shield over their chest and they pull themselves up to th…
climbing palm trees and cutting down those palm fruits (called nongu in Tamil Nadu) is much more harder.. probably 10x more harder than coconut tree. Long poles with sickle may help in harvesting coconuts, but not the palm fruits.. a robotic arm with motorized blade will be ideal for palm trees.
Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#168Earlier quoted context omitted.
During 1970's time frame that OP is talking about, it is largely the effect of thousands of years caste based discrimination that denied education and basic rights for a big chunk of the population. Today it is problem of economics. Coconut trees typically grow in state of Kerala, a lot of the population there work in the Middle East oil economies , the pay is considerably better there. Paying competitively does not…
Education statistics were compiled in the British era, and these were referenced by Dharampal in his book 'The Beautiful Tree' which records the extensive education present in South India. Like a lot of claims, this doesnt stand up. Nor does the claim of 'caste system started in colonial era' make sense. Aside: For people interested in learning more about what I am talking about, read up Nicholas Dirks, Balagangadhar…
Lol , even today basic literacy is in the 70th percentile.
I can count in fingers how many from my village in south india from my grandfathers generation went to school or could read/write.
The reason congress first lost power in tamil nadu was partly because of caste based education proposed by rajagopalachari. Mid day meal program was pivotal in MGR's continued popularity . Education has always been key factor in politics since at least independence.
Sure there were exceptions and few kings could seize power with support from their powerful communities . They still remained illiterate though.
Education was only given to favoured few. Only few had access to God. A king could perhaps come from some random caste never the priest. he still comes from brahmins. Access to God and education was and still is weaponized to discriminate
The discrimination against women is the same, sure there were rare exceptions for women queens with power. never a single priest though.
Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#169Earlier quoted context omitted.
During 1970's time frame that OP is talking about, it is largely the effect of thousands of years caste based discrimination that denied education and basic rights for a big chunk of the population. Today it is problem of economics. Coconut trees typically grow in state of Kerala, a lot of the population there work in the Middle East oil economies , the pay is considerably better there. Paying competitively does not…
>Coconuts outside the big cities event today are dirt cheap you can get a dozen for something like $1 Nah. Even in most rural places, coconuts are now priced at around 50 cents each.
While a retail price of Rs 40 (50 cents) is possible it is not the norm and is considered expensive even in a big city like bangalore.
The price flucatates and does drop below Rs 10 and even Rs 5 . Here the coconut board link [1] for wholesale prices.
I have personally traded with farms at Rs 5-6 range 3 years back in 2016.
[1] https://coconutboard.in/priceweb/Reports.aspx
Today I can see vendors quoting 10 per on some mundis.
Re: Indian robot climbs trees to harvest coconuts
#170Earlier quoted context omitted.
During 1970's time frame that OP is talking about, it is largely the effect of thousands of years caste based discrimination that denied education and basic rights for a big chunk of the population. Today it is problem of economics. Coconut trees typically grow in state of Kerala, a lot of the population there work in the Middle East oil economies , the pay is considerably better there. Paying competitively does not…
so are you saying india was economically flourishing in the 1970s and today suddenly there is poverty that you would not pay the tree climber? how much did you make in the 1970s selling coconuts? Re 1? equivalent to 1/50th on the US dollar?
Huh? I said today there are better jobs abroad what has that do with poverty ? . It doesn't matter how rich or poor the farmer is. If coconuts sell at some price and he has to compete with middle eastern job market he won't pay if he cant get returns on his efforts.