Archive · 18 Jul 2026
Teen Develops AI System to Deter Elephants in Jharkhand
A 17-year-old named Avi Mohan Shukla from Jharkhand decided to take a gap year from college to work on a special project.
He created a device called InnoBox that uses AI to detect elephants and warn people.
This is important because elephants in Jharkhand sometimes hurt people and destroy crops.
Avi's device picks up vibrations and uses radar to make sure it's an elephant before sending alerts.
The Forest Department is helping him test it out.
Avi even turned down a chance to study in Hong Kong to keep working on this project.
He's also working on other tech solutions to help the forest officials.
Avi Mohan Shukla, a 17-year-old from Jharkhand, developed an AI-based system called InnoBox to detect and deter elephants.
The system uses seismic vibrations and radar to accurately identify elephants and send alerts to forest officials.
Shukla received Rs 1 lakh from the Forest Department to develop and test 10 prototype devices.
He is currently working as a 'temporary tech fellow' at the Palamu Tiger Reserve, refining the system and collecting data.
Shukla also developed additional tools, including a QR code-based tree tracking system and a web-based work management dashboard for forest officials.
- Who
- Avi Mohan Shukla, a 17-year-old from Jharkhand
- What
- Developed an AI-based elephant early warning and deterrent system called InnoBox
- When
- Started in 2024, currently undergoing trials
- Where
- Palamu Tiger Reserve and Rasabeda village, Jharkhand
- Why
- To address human-elephant conflict and reduce crop damage and fatalities
- Location
- Jharkhand, India
- Innovator
- Avi Mohan Shukla
- System Name
- InnoBox
- Funding
- Rs 1 lakh for research and development
- Detection Range
- 15-20 meters (being improved)
- Power Source
- Solar energy
- Current Status
- Undergoing trials at Palamu Tiger Reserve