AI company Vayu Robotics announced today that it has successfully closed a seed financing round amounting to $12.7 million. The round was led by Khosla Ventures and saw participation from notable investors such as Lockheed Martin Ventures and ReMY Investors.
Vayu Robotics is recognized for its innovative approach to robotics. Rather than traditional methods, the company focuses on a principles-first tactic which emphasizes cost-efficiency and easier deployment. At its core, Vayu uses two primary technologies: a foundational model for mobility and an innovative, low-cost sensing technology with the potential to substitute lidar in several medium-range applications. The newly acquired funding is earmarked to amplify product development efforts across several sectors, including automotive, factory automation, and last-mile delivery.
The brainpower behind Vayu Robotics includes industry veterans in machine learning, sensor development, and industrial manufacturing. Co-founders Anand Gopalan, previously the CEO of Velodyne Lidar; Mahesh Krishnamurthi, with stints at Lyft and Apple; and Nitish Srivastava, a former Apple and University of Toronto affiliate, lead the team. The upsurge in AI technology adoption has opened doors for robots to undertake more versatile tasks. With U.S. companies' push to reduce dependence on foreign production and boost domestic manufacturing prowess, the demand for automation and robotics is anticipated to surge. Vayu Robotics sits at this intersection, facilitating the next generation of accessible and sustainable robotics, particularly in the realm of last-mile robot delivery.
Anand Gopalan, CEO at Vayu Robotics, expressed his confidence in the company's potential, stating, “Vayu is poised to disrupt the market by creating the lowest cost ownership for robots with the best operational economics." He also highlighted the team's robust engineering prowess and anticipated positive outcomes from the recent investment.
Khosla Ventures' partner, Kanu Gulati, lauded Vayu's potential, emphasizing the company's groundbreaking use of advanced sensing technology, which promises to elevate the field of robotics.
Lockheed Martin Ventures' VP and General Manager, Chris Moran, also voiced support, highlighting Vayu Robotics' alignment with Lockheed's vision for 21st-century security. He sees Vayu as a promising provider of efficient robotic systems that can pioneer a new era of intelligent, autonomous solutions in various domains.
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