Draft:Christo Kollannur
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Last edited by Qwerfjkl (bot) (talk | contribs) 4 days ago. (Update) |
Christo Kollannur | |
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| Born | 12 December 1998 |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupations |
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| Known for |
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| Title | Co-Founder and Director, Estro Tech Robotics and Innovations Private Limited |
| Awards |
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| Website | www |
Christo Kollannur (born 12 December 1998) is an Indian roboticist and entrepreneur from Thrissur, Kerala. He is the co-founder and director of Estro Tech Robotics and Innovations Private Limited, a deep-tech startup recognised by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) that develops robotics, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things (AIoT) solutions for the retail and infrastructure sectors.[1]
He is known for developing the Viruzid series of ultraviolet disinfection robots during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, for which an Indian patent application was filed in June 2020, and for the RobAd autonomous in-store retail marketing robot.[2] Estro Tech Robotics was recognised as one of Kerala's top-performing robotics startups at the Robotics Round Table organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in August 2024.[3]
Early life and education
[edit]Christo Kollannur was born on 12 December 1998 in Thrissur, Kerala. He completed his secondary education at JMJ E.M.H.S.S., Athani, where he was an active member of Science and Social Clubs. He subsequently attended Vocational Higher Secondary School (THS), Shoranur, completing a pre-degree course in Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) between 2014 and 2016, including an on-job training attachment at Compex, Shoranur, and earning a Trade Certificate in Computer Science. He also served as Secretary of the National Service Scheme (NSS) unit during this period.
In 2016, he enrolled in the Bachelor of Technology programme in Mechanical Engineering at Jyothi Engineering College, Cheruthuruthy, affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, graduating in 2020. During his undergraduate studies he was an Executive Member of the college's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC) and a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) collegiate chapter. He undertook industrial training at Maruti Suzuki (Indus Motors, Kerala) in June 2017 and at KELTRON Component Complex, Thrissur, in June 2018, gaining experience in mechanics, electronics, robotic design, and sensor interfacing. He also attended the FAB Academy programme at Super FAB Lab Kerala in August 2018.
In 2022, Kollannur completed a Management Development Programme (MDP) at the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode), supported by the Kerala Startup Mission.[4]
Career
[edit]Early engineering and student innovation (2017–2019)
[edit]While studying at Jyothi Engineering College, Kollannur became involved in robotics and product development through the college's IEDC. He developed medical device prototypes and healthcare robotics systems that formed the foundation of his later commercial work. In 2018, he participated in post-flood relief activities with the Centre of Science and Technology for Rural Development (COSTFORD), Thrissur, following the 2018 Kerala floods.[5]
In April 2019, Kollannur took on the role of Project Lead at the pre-incorporation entity that would become Estro Tech Robotics, beginning early-stage development of the Viruzid robotic platform.
Viruzid UV disinfection platform (2019–2021)
[edit]In late 2019, Kollannur and a team of engineering collaborators began developing an autonomous UV disinfection robotic system. The project became particularly significant during the COVID-19 pandemic in India in 2020.
Viruzid UV Rover
[edit]The Viruzid UV Rover 2.0 is a remotely operated mobile robot equipped with germicidal Ultraviolet-C (UVC) lamps producing short-wave ultraviolet light at 254 nm to impair and destroy exposed surfaces of pathogens. Designed to decontaminate hospital rooms, isolation wards, offices, and storage areas without requiring personnel to remain inside, the robot is operated via remote control with live camera feedback and provides 360-degree UV irradiation coverage. A patent application for the technology was filed with the Indian Patent Office on 1 June 2020 (Application No. 202041022870).[2]
Viruzid UV Tower
[edit]The Viruzid UV Tower (TT Series 02) is a stationary disinfection system developed between July and September 2020. It measures approximately 180 × 65 × 65 cm, is equipped with eight 36-watt, four-foot UV lamps, and includes a built-in safety delay timer for room-level sterilisation over 30 minutes to one hour.
Viruzid UV Box
[edit]The Viruzid UV Box (S Series) is a modular enclosed decontamination chamber developed between June and July 2020, designed for surface sterilisation of masks, documents, stationery, currency, fruits, vegetables, and household items. It is intended for hospitals, offices, shops, isolation wards, nurses' stations, intensive care units, and patient rooms, with a documented 3-log reduction of pathogens in controlled use.
Recognition for Viruzid
[edit]The Viruzid UV sterilisation robot received recognition from the India Book of Records in May 2021 and the Asia Book of Records in May 2021, both citing the development of an innovative UV disinfection mobile robot associated with patent application No. 202041022870.[6]
In July 2021, Kollannur was selected for the George Institute for Global Health's India Health Accelerator Programme ("Covid-Care@Home" innovation challenge), organised in partnership with the World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and UNICEF.[7]
Estro Oxikit (2021)
[edit]In May 2021, amid the national 2021 Indian oxygen crisis, Kollannur led "Project Estro Oxikit" in collaboration with Government Engineering College, Thrissur, and Government Medical College, Thrissur. The project aimed to develop a portable, electrically powered oxygen concentrator with a target output of 25 litres per minute at over 92% oxygen concentration.
Co-founding Estro Tech Robotics (2020)
[edit]In October 2020, Kollannur co-founded Estro Tech Robotics and Innovations Private Limited in Thrissur alongside Christo Varghese, Rahul Vincent, and Bonsto Wilson.[1] The company was incorporated on 3 October 2020, received certification from the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), and operates from Asokam Building, Koratty Infopark, Koratty, Kerala. The company's declared technology domains cover AI/ML, Internet of Things (IoT), and Robotics, serving a B2B retail market.[1]
Kollannur's responsibilities have spanned product and mechanical design, prototype development and testing, project planning, business development, marketing strategy, technology commercialisation, and bespoke product development for individual clients.
RobAd
[edit]Estro Tech Robotics's primary commercial product became RobAd, an autonomous mobile robot designed for in-store retail advertising and customer engagement. According to the Kerala Startup Mission startup database, RobAd combines light, sound, and motion to attract shoppers' attention and delivers targeted product promotions inside retail stores and supermarkets.[1]
The system features human-detection sensors for proximity-based interaction, dynamic directional lighting and audio for product promotion, IoT connectivity for remote control and real-time data streaming, and shopper analytics capability for in-store engagement data. RobAd is directed at fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands and retail chains as a B2B technology product. Documented deployments include campaigns for brands across the supermarket and grocery retail sector in Kerala.
Summer Startup Festival — Best Hardware Startup (2023 & 2025)
[edit]Estro Tech Robotics won the Best Hardware Startup Award — First Place at the Summer Startup Festival 2023, organised by the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) of Government Engineering College, Thrissur, in association with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI). The award recognised the company's hardware innovation in the robotics and retail automation sector. The company received the Best Hardware Startup Award again at Summer Startup Festival 2025.
KSIDC Robotics Round Table (2024)
[edit]On 23 August 2024, Estro Tech Robotics participated in the Robotics Round Table held at the Grand Hyatt, Bolgatty Island, Kochi, organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in association with the Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala. At the valedictory ceremony, Industries Minister P. Rajeeve presented awards to the top-performing exhibitors at the expo held alongside the event. Estro Tech was among six companies recognised, alongside Fuselage Innovations, Genrobotics, Benditta Bionics, Xalten Systems, and Asimov Robotics.[3][8]
The event also saw the announcement of Kerala's first dedicated Robotic Park, to be established in Thrissur on a ten-acre plot with support from the Thrissur District Panchayat, with KSIDC committing equity investment for five robotics startups and doubling the scale-up loan limit for the sector.[3]
Seed funding (2026)
[edit]In June 2026, Estro Tech Robotics raised ₹1 crore in a seed funding round led by Genrobotics Innovations, an Indian robotics company known for sanitation robotics.[9] The capital was allocated toward expanding manufacturing capacity, strengthening research and development, and scaling retail robot deployments across India.
Infrastructure robotics (2026–present)
[edit]Following its work in retail automation, Estro Tech Robotics expanded into AIoT-enabled municipal infrastructure monitoring, including development of sewer inspection systems, wireless manhole telemetry units, and predictive maintenance sensors for underground urban drainage infrastructure.
Public speaking and teaching
[edit]Kollannur has delivered invited talks on robotics, product development, and entrepreneurship at engineering institutions and professional bodies across Kerala.
INSPIRE '20 — IEDC Zonal Meetup, Jyothi Engineering College (January 2021)
[edit]On 27 January 2021, Kollannur delivered an Entrepreneur Talk at INSPIRE '20, the IEDC Zonal Meetup and IEDC Summit Precursor Event organised by the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Cell (IEDC) of Jyothi Engineering College, Cheruthuruthy, in association with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) and the Institution's Innovation Council (IIC). He was one of five entrepreneur speakers at the event, sharing his experience as an entrepreneur and the vision behind founding Estro Tech. The event was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Dr. Jose Kannampuzha, Director of Academics, Jyothi Engineering College, and attended by approximately 50 participants.[10]
IEEE Kerala Section — RoboRoot Connect
[edit]He served as an invited speaker at the IEEE Kerala Section event RoboRoot Connect: Robotics Unplugged, subtitled From Idea to Prototype – Building Real-World Robots That Work (IEEE vTools Event #530531). The session covered conceptual robot design, iterative prototyping, and real-world engineering challenges.[11]
St. Mary's College, Thrissur — Expert Lecture (January 2023)
[edit]On 18 January 2023, Kollannur served as a resource person for an expert lecture and live demonstration on ultraviolet disinfection robots at St. Mary's College (Autonomous), Thrissur. He addressed students on the history of robotics, robot mechanisms, the development and patent filing of the Viruzid UVD prototype, and the Kerala startup ecosystem.
KSUM Startup Saturday — All About Hardware Startups (March 2023)
[edit]In March 2023, Kollannur represented Estro Tech Robotics at the Kerala Startup Mission's Startup Saturday event in Kochi, themed "All About Hardware Startups".
SAE India — Mechanical Engineering Association Inauguration (Chief Guest)
[edit]Kollannur served as Chief Guest at the inauguration of a college Mechanical Engineering Association as part of an SAE India collegiate chapter event. He addressed engineering students on entrepreneurship in robotics, and the pathway from engineering education to product commercialisation.
Robotics practical training
[edit]Kollannur has conducted hands-on robotics training workshops for engineering students, covering Arduino-based robot programming, obstacle avoidance systems, ultrasonic sensor integration, motor control, and autonomous robot development — including practical build sessions on line-follower, obstacle-avoidance, and follow-me robot systems.
Community and volunteer engagement
[edit]Kollannur has volunteered with the Headstart Network Foundation since July 2022, India's oldest early-stage entrepreneurship support organisation, leading over ten design volunteers across more than twenty cities and contributing to a revived national brand strategy for the organisation.
In March–April 2021, he volunteered as a webcasting operator for the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly Election, organised through the Kerala State IT Mission.
Personal
[edit]Kollannur speaks Malayalam (native), English (full professional proficiency), Hindi (limited working proficiency), and Tamil (elementary proficiency). He holds a Cambridge University Business English Certificate at B1 level (2017). He has been a member of the Rotary Club Rising Stars chapter since June 2021.
Awards and recognition
[edit]| Year | Award / Recognition | Awarding Body |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Young Innovators Programme Award | Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council (K-DISC)[1] |
| 2021 | India Book of Records — Innovative UV Sterilizing Robot | India Book of Records[6] |
| 2021 | Asia Book of Records — Innovative UV Sterilizing Robot | Asia Book of Records |
| 2021 | Global Health Innovation Fellowship | The George Institute for Global Health (with WHO, UNDP, UNICEF)[7] |
| 2023 | Best Hardware Startup Award — First Place | Government Engineering College Thrissur (TBI-GECT) in association with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) |
| 2023 | Retail Innovator of the Year | LuLu DIGEX Startup Awards in partnership with Kerala Startup Mission, Samsung, Bosch and TCL |
| 2024 | Top Performing Startup — Robotics Round Table Expo | Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) & Department of Industries and Commerce, Government of Kerala[3][8] |
| 2025 | Best Hardware Startup Award | Summer Startup Festival 2025 |
| 2026 | South India Retail Excellence (SIRE) — Retail Innovation Partner | South India Retail Expo |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 "Estro Tech Robotics and Innovations Private Limited". Kerala Startup Mission. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 "Patent Application No. 202041022870 — VIRUZID UV STERILIZER". Indian Patent Office, Controller General of Patents, Designs & Trade Marks. 1 June 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kerala plans first Robotics Park in Thrissur". The Hindu. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "Management Development Programme — Entrepreneurship Development". Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ "How engineers are contributing towards rebuilding Kerala after the flood". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- 1 2 "India Book of Records — Innovative UV Sterilizing Robot". India Book of Records. May 2021.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - 1 2 "India Health Accelerator Programme: Covid-Care@Home". The George Institute for Global Health. July 2021.
{{cite web}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|url=(help) - 1 2 "Kerala to set up first Robotics Park in Thrissur". The Economic Times. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Surabhi MS (11 June 2026). "Vidya alumnus Mr Rahul Vincent leads Estro Tech Robotics to Rs1 Crore seed funding milestone". Vidya Academy of Science and Technology. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
- ↑ IEDC Zonal Meetup And Precursor Event — INSPIRE '20 (Report). IEDC, Jyothi Engineering College in association with Kerala Startup Mission and Institution's Innovation Council. 27 January 2021.
- ↑ "RoboRoot Connect: Robotics Unplugged — From Idea to Prototype – Building Real-World Robots That Work". IEEE Kerala Section via IEEE vTools. Retrieved 30 September 2026.