The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Vayu Robotics emerges from stealth with $12.7M

By Brianna Wessling | October 5, 2023

Vayu Robotics, an AI company that aims to provide high-quality, low-cost robotic systems, has emerged from stealth with $12.7 million in seed funding. The company plans to use the funding to scale product development for AI robotics across different markets, including last-mile delivery, factory automation, and automotive.

The round was led by Khosla Ventures and included participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures, ReMY Investors, and others. 

Vayu is a non-traditional robotics company that is taking a principles-first approach to automation. It prioritizes cost and ease of deployment with two key technologies: a foundation model for mobility, and a disruptive, low-cost sensing technology that could replace LiDAR in many mid-range applications. 

The company’s technology sits in the convergence of two major trends in the industry right now. The first is the rise of new AI technologies that have enabled robots to perform more general tasks in a way that they couldn’t before. The second is that US companies are seeking to become less reliant on overseas production by revitalizing domestic manufacturing capacity and competitiveness. With this change, the demand for robotics and automation continues to grow. 

Vayu’s technology aims to enable the next wave of sustainable and accessible robots, most immediately for last-mile delivery.


robobusiness register now banner.Register now so that you don’t miss this exciting event.


 

“Vayu is poised to disrupt the market by creating the lowest cost ownership for robots with the best operational economics,” Anand Gopalan, CEO of Vayu Robotics, said. “We have built an incredibly strong team of engineers with expertise in hardware and software. With this latest round of investment, our team is positioned to bring Vayu’s novel technology to the market through our first customers.”

Vayu’s technology is based on three pillars: biology-inspired sensors, scalable machine learning, and purposeful design. These informed the creation of the company’s first products, which include Vayu Drive, a foundation model for mobility, Vayu Sense, a robust and cost-efficient sensor, and Vayu One, a full-scale delivery robot as-a-service. 

The company’s founding team includes Gopalan, the former CEO of Velodyne Lidar, Mahesh Krishnamurthi, who has experience at Lyft and Apple, and Nitish Srivastava, who has experience at Apple and the University of Toronto. 

“At Khosla Ventures, we bet early on bold ideas that could be impactful to society,” said Kanu Gulati, partner at Khosla Ventures. “In Vayu, we see a team that is one of the first to leverage advanced sensing technology for machines to be able to navigate the world in a way they could not previously, taking robotics to a new place.”

About The Author

Brianna Wessling

Brianna Wessling is an Associate Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media. She joined WTWH Media in November 2021, after graduating from the University of Kansas with degrees in Journalism and English. She covers a wide range of robotics topics, but specializes in women in robotics, autonomous vehicles, and space robotics.

She can be reached at bwessling@wtwhmedia.com

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

The global industrial robot market has declined since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to this Interact Analysis graph.
Global industrial robot market contracted 5.8% last year, reports Interact Analysis
The founders of MOTOR Ai, a German self-driving software startup.
MOTOR Ai gets seed funding toward explainable self-driving software
a fanuc robot lines up to deliver shot to cows in milking parlor.
Pharm Robotics advances automated dairy cow healthcare
De-Racking Simulation and Training.
Apera AI updates Apera Forge design and AI training studio

RBR50 Innovation Awards

“rr
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Robotics Professionals.
The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Episode of The Robot Report Podcast

Automated Warehouse Research Reports

Sponsored Content

  • How to Set Up a Planetary Gear Motion with SOLIDWORKS
  • Sager Electronics and its partners, logos shown here, will exhibit at the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo. Sager Electronics to exhibit at the Robotics Summit & Expo
  • The Shift in Robotics: How Visual Perception is Separating Winners from the Pack
  • An AutoStore automated storage and retrieval grid. Webinar to provide automated storage and retrieval adoption advice
  • Smaller, tougher devices for evolving demands
The Robot Report
  • Automated Warehouse
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe