Robotics Startups in India: Leading Innovation in Industry 4.0

By implementing cutting-edge manufacturing technologies like robotics, India’s robotics startup landscape has strengthened its industrial base significantly over the last ten years. With an average annual growth rate of 16 percent, the number of industrial robots in India has more than doubled since 2016 and is expected to reach 33,220 units in 2021.

According to the World Robotics Report, 2022, India is currently ranked 10th globally in terms of annual industrial installations leading to robotics startup ideas. It has the potential to revolutionize industries and spur India’s robotics market growth.

The lack of skilled workers for the installation, integration, and upkeep of robots, as well as robotics regulation in India, also makes it more difficult for Indian robotics startups to grow. Therefore, coordinated efforts are needed to mitigate current ecosystem challenges as well as bolster national and state efforts in order to promote the growth of robotics in India.

The overall goal of India’s robotic strategy is to revolutionize the field of robotics startups in India, impact the nation, and position India as a leader in the world of robotics research, design, development, and manufacturing. The implementation of this strategy and the optimization of robotics’ transformative potential is being undertaken by the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) in collaboration with multiple government agencies and other relevant parties.

Evolution of Robotics in India

The history of robotics in India was mostly about learning, testing, and understanding robotics and its potential applications in diverse fields. These early developments paved the way for later, more sophisticated, and practical robots. People began to consider the potential of robotics implementation in India in various fields and industries. This was an important time because it led to a growing demand for robotics in India and paved the way for the amazing discoveries that would follow.

With a share of 31% in 2021, the automotive industry in India continues to be the greatest consumer for the robotics industry, according to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). At 1,547 units, installations more than doubled, with an increase of over 108%. With 308 units (-9%), the rubber and plastics sector (246 units +27%), the electrical/electronics industry (215 units +98%), and the metal industry lead India’s general industry. The increasing market adoption of robotics in India into important industries like manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and logistics is reflected in this growth trajectory.

Manufacturing Sector: This sector is seeing growing demand for robotics in India, accounting for a significant share of the market. The need for automation, efficiency, and precision in production processes drives the market adoption of robotics in India in this sector. For automation, Systemantics has created ASYSTR Collaborative Robots that are adaptable, reasonably priced, and secure enough to meet business needs. These are some of the first Cobots that are designed and made in India by locals.

Automation services: Robots are crucial in industries such as automotive, industrial, e-commerce & retail, academic & research, pharmaceutical, electronics, and food & beverage. With the advent of Industry 4.0, smart factories are increasingly integrating IoT in robotics, AI in robotics, and machine learning in robotics to optimize production.

Healthcare: This sector is emerging as a significant area for robotics startups in India. Surgical robotics, particularly in minimally invasive surgeries, are gaining traction in India’s leading hospitals as India emerges as a booming medical tourism hub. Healthcare robotics are also being used in rehabilitation, patient monitoring, and elderly care. The Indian government’s support for robotics startups in India is playing a crucial role in the development of robotics startup ideas through various initiatives and policies aimed at fostering innovation and adoption.

Agriculture: Agri-robots in India are being used for tasks such as precision farming, automated harvesting, soil analysis, and crop monitoring. Drones, a key component of agricultural robotics, are increasingly being used for aerial surveillance, crop spraying, and yield estimation. The government’s focus on modernizing agriculture and improving productivity through technology is expected to drive further market adoption of robotics in India.

Key Robotics Startups in India

Over the past five years, the market adoption of robotics in India has doubled annually, and the nation is among the top 10 in the world for robot installations. The government initiatives for robotics in India to improve volume, accuracy, and safety in the face of previously unheard-of production rates have led to the current boom in robotics market size in India. Robotics startups in India are emerging as key players in the global robotics industry.

This startup specializes in creating collaborative robots (cobots) that enhance emotional and cognitive development in children. Its flagship product, Miko, is an AI-powered cobot designed to engage children through educational content and interactive play.

The collaborative robot employs AI and uses natural language processing and facial recognition to understand and respond to children’s emotions, making it a unique tool for learning and entertainment. Emotix has garnered attention as an innovative robotics startup in India due to its innovative approach to robotics in education and continues to innovate in the field of social robotics.

It is a pioneering robotics startup in India specializing in developing autonomous aerial drones for various industrial and commercial applications. It aims to revolutionize industries such as agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response with its advanced drone technologies.

The company’s flagship product, SkyHawk, is a high-performance drone equipped with AI-powered navigation and sensor fusion capabilities, enabling precise aerial mapping, surveillance, and delivery operations. Dexter Robotics is committed to advancing drone technology in India and globally, catering to the growing demand for efficient and cost-effective aerial solutions.

This company provides robotic automation solutions for manufacturing processes. They specialize in welding, material handling, and assembly operations, offering customizable robotic systems that enhance productivity and product quality. DiFACTO Robotics aims to streamline manufacturing operations and reduce production costs through automation.

Innovations and Investments Driving Growth of Robotics Startups

The dynamic start-up scene in India, fuelled by Make-In-India and PIL schemes, is significantly influencing innovation and boosting the growth of robotics in India. Robotics companies in India are developing advanced robotic technologies such as exoskeletons, humanoid robots, and drones. India is seeing a surge in robotics startup ideas thanks to favorable government initiatives, a skilled labor pool, and the availability of venture capital funding.

In its nine years of operation, Grey Orange, one of the most profitable robotics startups in India, has raised money at a reported valuation of $400 to $500 million in Series C funding. The company optimizes global logistics and supply chain processes with its products by leveraging its deep domain expertise and top-notch hardware and software engineering.

Aside from Grey Orange, investors have shown interest in a number of robotic startups in India. TartanSense was awarded $2 million in seed funding in March 2019. With this funding, the startup intends to scale up its first product, BrijBot, a robotic weed-spraying solution for small cotton farmers.

During its Series A round in August, Emotix, the company that creates the companion robot Miko, raised about $7.5 million. Nocca Robotics, a Pune-based company that offers a waterless, automated, and shareable solar panel cleaning solution, raised $1.7 million from the early-stage fund in September 2019 from Angel Network in India.

Opportunities and Future Prospects

India’s new manufacturing capabilities are a critical step toward giving its citizens access to quality education and work opportunities. India is still lagging behind the US, Japan, China, Germany, etc., in terms of market adoption of robotics, but the market is gradually opening up as awareness grows. The absence of a hardware ecosystem, financial incentives, essential human resources, and a readiness to use robots are some of the difficulties. By increased investments in Indian robotics, India can enhance its standing as a major global manufacturing hub and concurrently foster the creation of long-term job opportunities. Robotic startups in India can easily innovate for the global market if policymakers and industry bodies can cultivate more talent acquisition among youth with specialized skills, increase exposure to applications and technologies, and provide a supportive environment for robotics startups in India.