With the rapidly growing robotics industry in India, Ati Motors raises $20 million

Ati Motors, an Indian autonomous mobile robots (AMR) startup, announced on Wednesday that it has secured $20 million in Series B funding. This milestone marks a significant step in the company’s plans for global expansion, particularly targeting markets in the U.S., India, and Southeast Asia, as nations aim to reduce their reliance on China for manufacturing.

India has been working toward becoming a robotics leader with the Indian IT ministry’s introduction of the “National Strategy for Robotics” in 2023. This policy aims to position the country as a global robotics hub by 2030. While India is currently the seventh-largest robotics market, it has shown remarkable growth, with a 59% year-over-year increase in industrial robotics installations, reaching 8,500 units in 2023, according to the International Federation of Robotics. However, it still lags behind leading players such as China, Japan, and the U.S.

Ati Motors, founded in 2017, operates out of a manufacturing and R&D facility in Bengaluru. The company has developed seven unique robots, two of which are set to launch this quarter. These robots are capable of automating tasks such as moving trolleys, bins, and pallets in factories and warehouses. Equipped with 3D lidar sensors and advanced spatial awareness, they can function in challenging environments, navigating gradients, cracks, oil spills, and even harsh weather conditions like rain.

Founder and CEO Saurabh Chandra emphasized the company’s unique approach: “Our main competitor is the status quo-manual labor or traditional methods-not another robot.” Ati Motors handles all aspects of its robots’ development, including hardware, software, and sensor-fusion algorithms, relying on Nvidia’s Jetson platform for edge computing. The company also provides fleet management software, ensuring interoperability with other robotic systems.

Ati Motors offers its AMRs through a flexible robots-as-a-service (RaaS) leasing model or outright purchase. Its flagship Sherpa robots have been deployed by over 40 manufacturers, including Airbus, Ceat Tyres, Hyundai, Samsung, and TVS Motor, with 80% of its client base in the automotive industry. To strengthen its U.S. presence, the company plans to establish operations in Detroit.

The funding round, fully equity-based, was co-led by Walden Catalyst Ventures and NGP Capital, with participation from existing investors such as True Ventures, Exfinity Venture Partners, Athera Venture Partners, and Blume Ventures.