A Pune-based Climate Tech Startup aims to Combat Extreme Weather Change with its IoT and AI-powered Automatic Weather Station
In an innovative move against the challenges of climate change, the Pune-based climate tech startup, better known as Forecastro, has unveiled its state-of-the-art product, WeatherWise. This groundbreaking Automatic Weather Station (AWS) is powered by the latest advancements in Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), including Machine Learning (ML) technologies, to offer precise and comprehensive weather data. The product, which is both patented and proudly Made in India, aims to support both governmental and business entities in their efforts to monitor and adapt to the effects of climate change through its accurate UV radiation, humidity, and climate predictions.
The threat posed by climate change is more dire than ever, with the natural world, economies, and societies worldwide facing significant disruptions. India, in particular, has been severely affected; the nation grapples with increasingly erratic monsoons, groundwater depletion, and catastrophic weather events like floods and heatwaves. These calamities have inflicted substantial economic loss, costing India around USD 26.3 billion and taking up about 0.5 percent of its GDP. Forecasts suggest a grim future, with anticipated losses due to climate inaction potentially reaching USD 35 trillion over the next half-century, posing grave risks to sectors as vital as health and agriculture.
The brains behind WeatherWise, Forecastro co-founders Somnath Varpe and Kiran Todekar, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their creation. With more than six years dedicated to working with embedded systems and microcontrollers, including his involvement with telemetry and meteorological instruments for the Government of India’s DRDO Meteorology division, Varpe’s expertise is rivaled only by Todekar’s prowess in the field of data science. Todekar’s experience encompasses Machine Learning algorithms, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, and Image Processing, with notable contributions to research at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
“WeatherWise represents a crucial advancement in how we approach weather monitoring and respond to the climate crisis,” explains Somnath Varpe. “Our goal is to equip decision-makers with accurate, dependable weather data to protect communities and mitigate economic damage.”
Kiran Todekar emphasizes the role of cutting-edge technologies in enhancing the capabilities of WeatherWise. “The integration of IoT, ML, and AI doesn’t merely improve the precision of weather measurements—it also enables the generation of predictive insights that are essential for timely and effective disaster management,” he states.
Forecastro is actively forging partnerships with key stakeholders to broaden the applicability and efficacy of WeatherWise. The startup’s commitment to leveraging technological innovation for the promotion of sustainability and resilience speaks to its broader mission of addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change, aiming for a substantial contribution towards a more stable and eco-conscious global community.
In conclusion, as the world grapples with the increasing threat of climate change, innovative solutions like Forecastro’s WeatherWise AWS are essential. By harnessing the power of IoT and AI, this tool not only promises enhanced weather data accuracy but also plays a pivotal role in disaster management and climate change mitigation efforts. Forecastro’s collaborative approach and dedication to innovation underscore the startup’s potential to make a significant impact in the fight against climate change.
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