Founder’s Story

The CoolBot was born out of necessity on a small farm in New Paltz, New York, where Kate and Ron Khosla needed an affordable way to store their produce. Traditional walk-in coolers were far too expensive, and relying on a technician for repairs wasn’t practical. In response, Ron set out to build a cost-effective alternative using an off-the-shelf air conditioner technology known for its reliability and availability.

Initially, Ron experimented with crude modifications, such as hardwiring a timer to the air conditioner. While it helped manage basic cooling, the system struggled with ice buildup and couldn’t adjust to changing conditions in the cooler. These challenges led Ron to envision a smarter solution—one that could dynamically manage temperature without modifying the air conditioner.

To bring this idea to life, Ron partnered with his college roommate, Timothy, an engineer from Cornell. Together, they created the first CoolBot prototype: a controller that could work with standard air conditioners using sensors and logic to maintain optimal cooling conditions. This innovation turned a DIY workaround into a scalable product.

Since its launch in 2006, over 125,000 CoolBots have been sold around the world. What started as a simple tool for a small farm has revolutionized affordable cold storage for farmers, food producers, florists, and beverage sellers globally, making quality refrigeration accessible to many who were previously priced out.