KOCHI:
The futuristic vision of Kerala that is transitioning into a digital society was brought into sharp focus as an array of innovative and disruptive startups showcased their products and technologies at #FUTURE, the two-day Global Digital Summit that concluded here today.
A salient feature of the high-profile event, held at Le Meridien hotel, was the digital zones, the first of its kind for any event in Kerala. These zones created by the global companies sought to demonstrate what the digital future would hold for the society. The summit gave an opportunity to some of the most innovative and disruptive startups to rub shoulders with high-profile delegates, comprising investors, incubators and stalwarts of technology companies from across the world.
One of the vibrant start-ups at the event was Watasale!, which is India’s first technologically innovative and fully automated autonomous cashless unmanned store with the motto of ‘keep shopping keep walking’. It is a retail shop that’s open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and allows the customer a seamless shopping experience of buying anything, anytime and anywhere. Walk in with your phone, pick your product and walk out, No cash required, no lines, no cashier!
Another interesting startup was Sastra Robotics, a Kochi-based robotics company that makes industrial robotic manipulators aimed at testing the car infotainments and the mobile phone touch screens. Sastra was noticed for winning TiE50 Award by TiE Silicon Valley in 2017.
Then there is a startup that provides a platform where one can make his/her loved ones happy by downloading an application in the mobile phone and celebrating the day in a film theatre. It is putting forward this extraordinary way of wishing someone with the help of the carnival theatres.
‘HIRO’, a robotic invention of the Startup Mission, aims at serving the hospitality and banking sectors. The robot, which performs general day to day life activities, evoked huge curiosity from the visitors. Artificial Intelligence-based model “NIRMAI”, which was also showcased at the event, makes a diagnosis of breast cancer among women.
Also, Aster Medicity and TATA Communications came together with an invention “Gloheal”, a medical platform that aims bridge the gap between patients and specialists. Overall, the exhibition was attended by 11 startups from the Maker Village, India’s largest hardware electronic incubator.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who inaugurated the event on Thursday, expressed his desire to view more such innovations in the future.
Also on display at the venue was a 270 degree video wall showcasing the future of Kerala in the technology sector.
