Vayu Robotics, a company founded by veterans of the robotics industry, has launched what they claim is the world’s first on-road delivery robot powered by a combination of AI foundation models and low-cost sensors. This innovation has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of e-commerce deliveries, a sector experiencing a surge in demand.
Last year, the company raised $12.7 million in seed funding led by Khosla Ventures, with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, ReMY Investors and others. The investment was to fuel its mission to remove the hardware and software bottlenecks that have stunted the growth of e-commerce.
Back in June, we had also reported about how ARX Robotics raised €9M seed funding to fill Europe’s gap in autonomous military vehicles. It’s a good read too.
What problem is the startup solving
The e-commerce industry thrives on the convenience of delivering goods directly to consumers. However, the cost per delivery remains a significant hurdle. Traditional delivery robots rely on expensive LiDAR sensors and task-specific software modules. These components contribute to high hardware costs and software that struggles to adapt to unforeseen situations.
Vayu Robotics takes a different approach. Their delivery robot utilises a transformer-based mobility foundation model alongside a powerful passive sensor, eliminating the need for expensive LiDAR technology. This allows the robot to navigate autonomously without pre-mapped routes, making it suitable for various environments, including stores, city streets, and residential areas. The robot can carry up to 100 lbs of goods at speeds under 20 mph and unload packages on driveways or porches. Vayu claims this model offers the most cost-effective, safe, and reliable delivery system currently available.
The team behind the startup
Vayu Robotics is led by a team with extensive experience in robotics and mobility. Anand Gopalan, the CEO, previously served as the CEO of Velodyne, a leading LiDAR supplier. Mahesh Krishnamurthi comes from Apple SPG and Lyft, while Nitish Srivastava has experience at Apple SPG and the University of Toronto’s AI lab led by Geoffrey Hinton, who also advises Vayu. Recognizing the limitations of existing technology for large-scale delivery robots, the trio aimed to develop a new technology stack that combined lower-cost hardware with more robust software.
Current situation and future plans
Vayu’s delivery robots are already being tested in real-world applications. The company has secured a substantial contract with a major e-commerce player to deploy 2,500 robots for rapid goods delivery. They are also collaborating with a global robotics manufacturer to integrate Vayu’s sensing technology into other robotic applications, potentially replacing LiDAR sensors.
Vayu believes their AI foundation models and low-cost sensing technology extend beyond delivery robots. “Our software is robot form factor agnostic,” says Anand Gopalan, indicating its potential application in robots with different configurations, including quadrupedal and bipedal robots.
What we think about the startup
The company has previously secured $12.7 million in funding to develop its technology and address bottlenecks hindering e-commerce growth. Looking ahead, Vayu envisions their “low-cost robotics nervous system” powering a new wave of mobile robots for various purposes. “Autonomous delivery robots are only the tip of the iceberg,” says Gopalan. Their focus on innovation and deployment positions Vayu as a potential leader in the adoption of real-world robotics across diverse industries.
Vayu’s scalable robotics architecture holds promise for empowering small businesses to deliver products directly to customers, potentially transforming the e-commerce landscape. While the long-term impact remains to be seen, Vayu’s approach presents a unique solution to address the cost challenges associated with e-commerce deliveries.
