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Vayu Robotics has launched the world’s first on-road Delivery Robot powered by an AI Robotics foundation model, securing a significant commercial contract for deployment.
E-commerce deliveries are rising, with 23% of American retail purchases projected to be online by 2027. To reduce delivery costs, Vayu Robotics introduces the first on-road Delivery Robot that combines advanced AI models with low-cost passive sensors, eliminating the need for expensive lidar systems.
Key Highlights:
- Cost-effective solution: Utilizes passive sensors instead of costly lidar.
- Versatile navigation: Operates autonomously without pre-mapping roads.
- High payload capacity: Can carry up to 100 lbs at under 20 mph.
- Innovative technology: Combines a transformer-based mobility foundation model with passive sensors.
- Commercial success: Signed a major contract to deploy 2500 robots for ultra-fast delivery.

Traditional mobile robotics often rely on expensive lidar sensors and single-task software, leading to high costs and limited functionality. Vayu’s robot integrates a transformer-based mobility foundation model with passive sensors, eliminating the need for lidar and enabling versatile, cost-effective delivery solutions.
Founded by robotics and mobility veterans Anand Gopalan, Mahesh Krishnamurthi, and Nitish Srivastava, Vayu Robotics aims to revolutionize the delivery industry. Geoffrey Hinton, a prominent AI researcher, also advises the company. The founders recognized that large-scale robotics applications, such as delivery, require innovative technology stacks involving lower-cost hardware and robust software.
Anand Gopalan, CEO of Vayu Robotics, stated, “The unique set of technologies we have developed at Vayu have allowed us to solve problems that have plagued delivery robots over the past decade, and finally create a solution that can actually be deployed at scale and enable the cheap transport of goods everywhere.”
Vayu’s robots are already in real-world applications, with a substantial commercial agreement to deploy 2500 robots for a major e-commerce player. The team collaborates with a leading global robotics manufacturer to integrate Vayu’s sensing technology in other robotic applications.
Kanu Gulati, Partner at Khosla Ventures, commented, “At Khosla Ventures, we believe in backing businesses where critical and differentiated technologies can unlock a large market. Vayu is a great example of this where they have deployed novel sensing and their AI foundation models to a robotic challenge that can have immense economic and societal impact.”
Gopalan added, “Our software is robot form factor agnostic and we have already deployed it across several wheeled form factors. In the near future, Vayu’s software technology will enable the movement of quadrupedal and bipedal robots, allowing us to expand into those markets as well.”
Having raised $12.7 million, Vayu aims to remove the hardware and software bottlenecks hindering e-commerce growth. The founders believe their low-cost robotics nervous system can power a new wave of mobile robots in various applications. “Autonomous delivery robots are only the tip of the iceberg,” said Gopalan. With cutting-edge innovation, Vayu is set to lead the adoption of real-world robotics across industries, empowering small businesses to deliver products seamlessly.
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