Vayu Robotics has introduced an on-road Delivery Robot, which combines AI foundation models with low-cost, lidar-less passive sensors. Announced this week in San Francisco, this robot aims to reduce the cost of e-commerce deliveries as online shopping continues to grow, with 23% of American retail purchases expected to be online by 2027.
Traditional delivery robots rely on expensive lidar sensors and single-task software, which contribute to high costs and limited adaptability. Vayu’s new model, however, utilizes a transformer-based mobility foundation model and passive sensors to operate autonomously without pre-mapping roads. This allows the robot to navigate various environments, including city streets and inside stores, and deliver packages up to 100 lbs at speeds under 20 mph.
The company was co-founded by industry veterans Anand Gopalan, Mahesh Krishnamurthi, and Nitish Srivastava, who have extensive experience in robotics and mobility. Their combined expertise led to the development of a new technology stack aimed at reducing hardware costs and enhancing software robustness. Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent figure in AI, also serves as an advisor to the company.
CEO Anand Gopalan emphasized the significance of Vayu’s technologies in overcoming longstanding challenges in delivery robotics, enabling scalable and cost-effective deployment. The company’s robots are already in real-world use, following a major commercial agreement with an e-commerce company to deploy 2,500 units. Additional customers and applications are anticipated, including collaborations with global robotics manufacturers to replace lidar sensors.
Kanu Gulati, Partner at Khosla Ventures, highlighted the potential economic and societal impacts of Vayu’s technologies, which are designed to address substantial market needs with innovative solutions. Vayu’s adaptable software can be applied across various robotic forms, including future quadrupedal and bipedal robots.
Vayu Robotics has secured $12.7 million in funding to further its mission of overcoming the limitations in hardware and software that have hindered e-commerce growth. The company aims to extend its low-cost robotics solutions to various mobile robot applications, with autonomous delivery robots being just the beginning. According to Gopalan, Vayu’s technology is set to transform real-world robotics, benefiting small businesses and other sectors.
