The partnership aims to develop AI-based solutions for landslide detection, bird conservation, and the prevention of wildlife trafficking.
Avnet India Pvt Ltd has entered a partnership with the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal. The collaboration is part of Avnet India’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) program and focuses on the development of AI-powered solutions for environmental applications.The partnership involves the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at NITK. Together, the teams are working on three projects using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
The first project, an AI-assisted real-time landslide detection and alerting system, applies AI techniques and the company’s development boards to issue early warnings in areas prone to landslides, such as the Himalayas and Western Ghats.The second project is an automated bird identification and survey system. It processes audio and video recordings to recognize bird species, supporting data collection and research in remote locations.
The third project targets illegal wildlife trafficking through an automated bird sound identification system. This solution uses machine learning to detect specific bird calls at transit checkpoints, contributing to the detection of wildlife transport. The company is also contributing to the upgrade of NITK’s Electronic Systems Laboratory. The lab has been equipped with digital oscilloscopes and AI-embedded development boards for use in sustainability-focused research and training.
The laboratory was inaugurated on April 16, 2025, by Sunil Kumar G, Senior Business Unit Manager (Xilinx) from Avnet India, along with faculty members including Professor Neelawar Shekar Vittal Shet of NITK’s ECE department and Director Professor Bhallamudi Ravi. Around 60 faculty and students were present.Avnet, with more than 100 years in technology distribution, supports design and supply chain solutions. The company works with global suppliers and invests in collaborations to build scalable AI-based applications.
Suresh Kamath, Managing Director of Avnet India, stated that the partnership aligns with the company’s ESG strategy. Faculty members from NITK noted that the initiative supports research and encourages student involvement in technology-based environmental projects. This initiative is part of Avnet India’s CSR program for the 2024–25 period.
