LiDAR has long been a crucial technology in the autonomous vehicle and robotics industries. However, its high cost has been a major drawback. Anand Gopalan, the former CTO and CEO of leading LiDAR company Velodyne, understands both the advantages and limitations of the technology. That’s why his latest venture, Vayu Robotics, has chosen to forgo LiDAR altogether and instead focus on LiDAR-free navigation as a selling point.
Founded in 2022 by Gopalan, Vayu Robotics aims to make delivery robotics more affordable and scalable. One way they are achieving this is by embracing foundation models, which are machine learning technologies that have been at the forefront of the recent generative AI revolution.
Traditionally, mobile robotics involved equipping robots with multiple expensive sensors and writing software modules for each specific task. However, this approach led to high costs and inflexible software that struggled with uncertainty and new situations. Vayu Robotics has taken a different approach by using a transformer-based mobility foundation model and a powerful passive sensor that eliminates the need for LiDAR, especially in low-speed applications.
Vayu Robotics’ initial focus is on delivery robots, which is a rapidly growing industry. The company has attracted investors, including Khosla Ventures, and has raised $12.7 million to date. They have also secured a significant commercial agreement with a large e-commerce player to deploy 2500 robots for ultra-fast goods delivery, with more commercial customers in the pipeline. While the details of the deal have not been disclosed, the substantial figure indicates that Vayu Robotics has moved beyond the pilot stage.
One of Vayu’s key differentiators is its on-road approach to delivery, which sets it apart from the slower sidewalk robots commonly used by other companies. Vayu’s system is capable of moving a 100-pound payload at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
Gopalan emphasizes that the unique technologies developed by Vayu Robotics have addressed longstanding challenges in the delivery robot industry and have finally made it possible to deploy a solution at scale for affordable goods transport everywhere. By focusing on LiDAR-free navigation and innovative approaches to delivery, Vayu Robotics is positioning itself as a leader in the industry and is poised for success.