Deeptech startups blending AI, robotics to solve everyday challenges
Meet the deeptech startups that are converging AI and robotics to tackle real-world problems across industries, from healthcare and agriculture to automation and mobility.
Robotics and AI, once considered science fiction, are very much our reality now—moving beyond research labs into industries to tackle some of the most pressing real-world challenges.
From reimagining industrial automation and water management to transforming farming, healthcare, transport, and even digital workflows, deeptech startups are pioneering solutions that blend AI, machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and automation in novel ways.
By enabling machines to perceive, reason, and act with greater autonomy, these technologies are reshaping industry operations, bringing adaptability, precision, and scalability to diverse fields, including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, diagnostics, and autonomous mobility.
The following startups represent this new wave of innovation, applying AI and robotics to make technology more responsive to everyday human and industrial needs.
CynLr
Bengaluru-based (Cybernetics Laboratory), founded in 2019 by Gokul Namakkal Arulsanmugam and Nikhil Ramaswamy, is a deeptech robotics startup with offices in Lausanne and Michigan.
The company has developed CLX-01, a vision platform inspired by the human eye, which integrates robotics, machine learning, and computer vision for robots to identify, grasp, and manipulate objects of varying shapes, sizes, colours, and materials—including reflective or transparent ones—in unstructured environments.
Unlike conventional robotic systems that depend on pre-programmed routines, CynLr’s technology enables adaptive, human-like object handling by combining real-time motion capture, event imaging, and optical convergence to provide depth perception and contextual understanding.
This capability addresses a core limitation in industrial automation, with applications in manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing, where variability in objects has traditionally required human intervention.
The idea originated from the founders’ experience at National Instruments, where they recognised the challenges of conventional machine vision in industrial robotics.
Haber
Haber, founded in 2017 by Vipin Raghavan, Arjunan PN, and Priya Venkat, is a Pune-based startup that develops AI- and robotics-based solutions for industrial water and chemical management.
Its core platform, eLIXA, integrates robotic sampling with AI-driven analytics to automate real-time monitoring, predictive dosing, and operational adjustments, reducing manual intervention and improving accuracy.
The system connects with existing control infrastructure and cloud dashboards, enabling continuous optimisation of water and chemical use while detecting issues such as leaks or contamination.
Haber’s technologies are used across sectors, including food and beverages, pulp and paper, steel, healthcare, and institutional facilities, with clients such as ITC and Tata Steel. The company reports having helped industries save over 50 billion litres of water and significantly cut emissions through these deployments.
Induced AI
Founded in 2023 by Aryan Sharma and Ayush Pathak, Induced AI automates repetitive browser-based and backend business tasks using AI agents with human-like reasoning.
Unlike traditional rule-based robotic process automation, its system learns workflows demonstrated once in a browser and executes them autonomously in the cloud, handling tasks such as data entry, form filling, web scraping, and verification without disrupting the user’s device.
The no-code platform enables businesses and individuals to automate complex and non-deterministic processes, reducing manual effort and errors.
Harvested Robotics
Harvested Robotics, founded in 2023 in Hyderabad by Rahul Arepaka and George Mathew, develops tractor-mounted robots that use AI and laser technology for automated weed control.
The system combines cameras and deep learning models to identify weeds, with robotic actuators directing high-power lasers to eliminate them, reducing reliance on herbicides or manual labour. Designed to integrate with existing farm equipment, the solution aims to lower costs, improve yields, and support chemical-free farming.
The startup is backed by investors, including Arali Ventures and Anand Mahindra, and has received support from initiatives such as the Kerala Startup Mission.
Swaayatt Robots
Swaayatt Robots, founded in 2015 in Bhopal by Sanjeev Sharma, develops Level-5 autonomous driving technology tailored to India’s complex traffic and off-road conditions.
Its AI platform relies primarily on camera-based perception, supplemented with RADAR and LiDAR for specific applications, to enable vehicles to navigate without dependence on high-definition maps or external infrastructure.
Using deep learning and reinforcement learning, the system manages obstacle detection, traffic negotiation, and navigation in chaotic or adversarial environments, with applications in civilian transport, military, and industrial sectors.
The startup has received funding from investors such as NVIDIA and Indian government bodies to advance its AI software and robotics platforms.
Asimov Robotics
Kochi-based Asimov Robotics, founded in April 2012 by Jayakrishnan T (CEO) and Ritesh Malik (Director), develops AI-driven robotic solutions for industries including healthcare, defence, space, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, banking, and sports.
Its flagship product, SAYABOT, is a service robot platform designed for tasks, including guidance, surveillance, security, and entertainment. It also builds humanoid robots, robotic manipulators, and medical assistive robots for surgeries and hospital logistics.
Headquartered at Kinfra Hi-Tech Park, Asimov integrates technologies like machine vision, robotic simulation, autonomous navigation, and human-robot collaboration to automate repetitive and high-risk tasks. Jayakrishnan, with prior experience designing robot manipulators for US agencies, established the company to deliver modular and customisable robotics platforms in India.
Edited by Suman Singh