Siddaramaiah launches state-developed, AI ready computer priced at Rs 18,999
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday launched KEO, an AI-ready, compact personal computer priced at Rs 18,999, and "designed and developed entirely within the state to bridge Karnataka's digital access gap".
According to officials, KEO, which stands for Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source, aims to make intelligent computing accessible at the grassroots and empower citizens across Karnataka.
The device, unveiled by the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2025, has been developed by the Department of Electronics, IT & BT in collaboration with KEONICS (Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited).
Later, addressing a press conference here, Information Technology Minister Priyank Kharge said, "India's most affordable artificial intelligence personal computer has been launched officially. It is the most compact, powerful AI device in India right now and it is completely based on open source. Nowhere in the world can you build such a device for Rs 18,999."
When asked about the pricing, he said, "When we started, it was a low-cost project. Now it is affordable. The problem is geopolitics -- the US and China's stand on rare earth materials and that is what pushed up the memory cost. Now it's de-escalating".
"We have spoken to a lot of people in Taiwan and the US as well, and everybody is of the opinion that it has de-escalated now. It may take a couple of months to stabilise. Once it stabilises, we will ensure that the cost is lowered as well. As of now, it is affordable. You will not get such a powerful AI-edge machine at this cost."
According to him, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan and Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw saw the device and were very impressed.
"They have placed an order to procure it, and they will be sponsoring it for schools," he said.
The minister said the device was built to ensure "every student, engineer, creator, innovator and household has access to powerful, intelligent computing at the grassroots, not just at the top of the pyramid."
He highlighted that fewer than 10 per cent of Indian households own a computer.
In Karnataka, the figure is just 15 per cent, well below the level required for modern education and digital livelihoods, he added.
"While smartphones are widespread, studies show that computers are essential for academic work, coding, online classes and hybrid learning," he said, noting that over 60 per cent of Indian students reported being unable to participate in online learning due to the lack of a device -- a factor contributing to higher dropout rates.
Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman of KEONICS, said a delegation led by Japanese women entrepreneurs has already seen the device and expressed interest in funding it.
"KEO is now open for pre-orders on our website. We are trying to optimise manufacturing. We are checking in Mysuru and other places. The chip was designed, developed and built by a Bengaluru-based semiconductor company," he added.
According to a statement, built on an open-source RISC-V processor with a Linux-based OS, KEO offers a full computing experience at an accessible price point. It features 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI and audio jack support, and comes fully loaded with learning, programming and productivity tools.
KEO includes an on-device AI core, enabling AI to run locally without internet access. It comes preloaded with BUDDH, an AI agent trained on the Karnataka DSERT syllabus to assist students even in low-connectivity regions, the statement added.
Following the launch, KEO is being showcased to the public throughout the Summit, allowing students, start-ups, industry leaders and visitors to experience the device first-hand and understand its role in enabling mass-affordable, AI-ready computing across the state.
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How Indian AI Is Booming with GEOX AI Leading the Next Wave of Geolocation Intelligence
TraceX Labs has announced the launch of GEOX AI, an advanced artificial intelligence platform capable of identifying the real-world location where a photograph or video was taken using only the visual content within the media.
Positioned as an enterprise-grade intelligence solution, GEOX AI leverages advanced computer vision and multi-agent AI to analyze pixel-level details such as architecture, road patterns, vegetation, signage, lighting, and environmental context. By interpreting these visual clues, the system can estimate—and in many cases precisely determine—the origin of an image or video.
AI-Powered Geolocation Intelligence
Marketed under the concept of “Locate Anywhere From Any Image,” GEOX AI is designed for intelligence operations where speed, accuracy, and reliability are critical. The platform currently supports:
- 400+ analyses available
- <10 seconds average response time
- Up to 99% accuracy on landmark-based identification
- Global coverage across diverse terrains and environments
Core Capabilities
GEOX AI integrates multiple intelligence features into a single platform:
- Precise Geolocation:
Identifies exact geographic coordinates using visual landmarks, architecture, vegetation, and cultural indicators. - Satellite Map View:
Results are plotted on live satellite imagery with 2D/3D viewing options and multiple map styles for deeper analysis. - AI Reasoning Analysis:
Provides a detailed explanation of how the system arrived at a conclusion, including confidence scoring. - Multi-Result Analysis:
Returns multiple possible locations ranked by confidence, enabling cross-verification. - Intelligence PDF Export:
Allows one-click generation of professional reports containing maps, coordinates, analysis, and structured findings. - Credit-Based Access:
Agencies are allocated credits, with each analysis consuming one credit. Additional credits can be requested directly.
Speed Meets Intelligence
GEOX AI is designed to balance rapid processing with analytical depth:
- Fast Mode: Delivers results within seconds for clear and high-context images
- Advanced Mode: Performs deeper multi-step analysis for complex or ambiguous visuals
- Built for real-time decision-making in high-pressure environments
How GEOX AI Works
The platform follows a simple and efficient workflow:
- Upload any image or video frame
- AI analyzes visual clues such as structures, terrain, and environment
- The system identifies location with coordinates, confidence score, and reasoning
- Results are displayed on an interactive satellite map
- Export a professional intelligence report in one click
A Breakthrough for Investigations
GEOX AI is expected to have wide-ranging applications across multiple domains:
- Tracking the origin of images from social media and open sources
- Supporting digital forensics and cyber investigations
- Assisting law enforcement and intelligence operations
- Helping journalists and OSINT analysts verify visual content
- Providing support in missing person cases and threat intelligence scenarios
Enterprise Access and Deployment
GEOX AI is available to verified law enforcement agencies, intelligence organizations, and authorized enterprises. Access is provided through a structured system where organizations can request credentials and define their operational use cases.
Interested users can request access via tracexlabs.com or contact contact@tracexlabs.com, with response times typically within 24–48 hours.
Privacy Debate Intensifies
The launch of GEOX AI has also sparked renewed discussion around digital privacy. By demonstrating how location data can be extracted purely from visible elements within images, the platform highlights the potential risks associated with sharing photos online without considering what those visuals may reveal.
Conclusion
With GEOX AI, TraceX Labs is entering the rapidly evolving geolocation intelligence space with a platform that combines speed, precision, and real-world usability. As artificial intelligence continues to advance, tools like GEOX AI are expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of investigations, security, and digital intelligence.
