Nigerian Students Develop AI App To Detect Fruit Ripeness

Three Nigerian students from Caleb University have built an app to detect ripe Fruit. Harmony Abayomi, Frida Efod, and Chibuzor Nwachukwu have developed Valor, an AI-powered app designed to detect fruit ripeness, as BBC Africa stated.

The Hackathon

Abayomi, Efod, and Nwachukwu recently represented the Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Software Engineering departments and took first place at Bell’s University Hackathon with their app, Valor.

Writing on LinkedIn, Abayomi said, “My team from Caleb University took home the top prize with our web and mobile app, Valor. Our app uses the power of AI to solve a major problem in the agricultural sector by detecting the ripeness, spoilage, and even diseases of mangoes.”

She explains the app’s impact, explaining that it can ensure that farmers, vendors, and consumers get the best-quality mangoes. “What’s even more exciting is that the app can help detect early signs of disease, which can be crucial in preventing the spread of infections and protecting crops,” she adds.

“The success of Valor is a testament to our commitment to nurturing innovation, academic excellence, and real-world problem-solving,” The Acting Vice Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof Sunday Adewale, said.

AI and Agriculture

The app detects whether mangoes are ripe or rotten. Nicknamed “the mango master,” it mixes computer vision and machine learning algorithms to identify ripeness levels quickly. It uses advanced image processing and classifies Mangoes accurately.

“Detecting ripeness and spoilage in mangoes remains a significant challenge. Overripe fruits lead to wastage and loss of value, while underripe ones fail to meet the expectations of consumers. Traditional methods like visual inspection are subjective and often unreliable,” the team said.

Image: Habeeb