Caleb varsity students win hackathon with AI app to detect mango ripeness
A group of computer science undergraduates from Caleb University has claimed first place in the Hackathon Contest hosted by Bells University of Technology, presenting a software they developed called Valor — an artificial intelligence-based app that identifies mango ripeness through sophisticated image recognition and machine learning tools.
Referred to as “the Smart, Bold, Brainy, Savvy Mango Master,” Valor caught the attention of the panel with its accurate mango classification abilities.
As stated in a release on Thursday, the software, which uses computer vision combined with deep learning systems, tackles problems in farming by assisting farmers, vendors, and consumers in assessing mango ripeness or spoilage — an issue often linked to food loss and decreased product value.
The winning group included a final-year student specializing in Software and Computer Vision Engineering, Harmony Abayomi; a 400-level Data and AI Engineering student, Nwachukwu Chibuzor; and a 400-level Data Analyst, Efod Freda.
The students explained that their inspiration came from the desire to cut down on waste and enhance the reliability of fruit assessment.
“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.
Caleb University’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof Sunday Adewale, received the victorious students and commended their accomplishment.
“Caleb University has become a colossal hub for innovation and academic excellence,” he said. “The success of Valor is a testament to our commitment to nurturing innovation, academic excellence, and real-world problem-solving.”
Adewale also noted that the university fosters teamwork across disciplines and experiential education, offering learners the tools they need to thrive in a tech-driven environment.
The Computer Science Department’s Head, Dr. Adeniyi Akanni, along with the Team Coordinator, Mr. Ajala, jointly described the software as a “sophisticated web and mobile application that leverages advanced machine learning and AI algorithms to analyse images and data.”
They emphasized that the innovation is a major breakthrough in combining technology with farming, showing that Caleb University’s innovations are playing a role in global movements to enhance food standards and cut down on waste.
