Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) specialist Vayu unveiled the Vayu One, which it claims to be the first on-road delivery robot in history, marking a significant advancement in autonomous delivery technology. This cutting-edge robot can carry up to 100 pounds of cargo and travel through streets and stores at a speed of up to 20 mph on its own.
Vayu Robotics, a trailblazer in next-generation AI technology, is committed to revolutionizing the field of autonomous deliveries. Founded by a team with extensive backgrounds in robotics and autonomous software, including former positions at Velodyne, Apple, and Lyft, Vayu aims to contribute to a more sustainable and connected world. The name “Vayu,” derived from Sanskrit, symbolizes “the intelligence that enables all motion in the universe and all movement of energy,” reflecting the company’s vision.
The startup has previously raised $12.7 million to develop its cost-effective “robotics nervous system,” which forms the core of its newly unveiled delivery robot. Unlike many of its competitors, Vayu Robotics has taken a distinctive design approach for its delivery robot. Instead of relying on costly LiDAR sensors and specialized software modules that handle only one task, Vayu has integrated a transformer-based mobility foundation model with a passive sensor. This new approach does away with the need for LiDAR, making the Vayu One different from other delivery robots.
The Vayu One is engineered to operate without the need for pre-mapped roads, a significant advantage in dynamic urban environments. It can safely navigate a variety of settings, including stores, streets, sidewalks, and driveways.
In a press release, Vayu CEO Anand Gopalan highlighted the achievement, saying, “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.” Following the public debut of the Vayu One, the company announced that its robots are ready for commercial deployment. Vayu Robotics has already secured an order for 2,500 units from a prominent e-commerce player, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey.
Vayu is also working with a top robotics company to use its sensing technology in other types of robots, not just for deliveries. The company plans to adapt its technology to support different modes of transport, expanding its impact across various robotic domains.
Gopalan elaborated on these ambitions, “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.”
With its innovative approach and key partnerships, Vayu Robotics is set to greatly influence the future of delivery robots and robotics. They aim to change how goods are moved and create new uses for their technology.