Nova Robotics India Unveils Astra-2 Humanoid Platform for Industrial Automation - RobotWale News

Product Launch: Astra-2 Humanoid Platform

Chennai-based robotics firm Nova Robotics India officially launched the Astra-2 humanoid robot on October 12, 2024. The platform marks the company’s entry into the full-sized bipedal automation segment, targeting material handling, warehouse logistics, and light assembly tasks across Indian industrial corridors. The launch follows two years of prototype development and factory-floor testing.

Key Specifications and Capabilities

The Astra-2 stands at 1.75 meters tall and weighs 68 kilograms. It utilizes 29 degrees of freedom with high-torque brushless actuators and force-torque sensors in each wrist. The system integrates a custom AI navigation stack that enables real-time spatial mapping, obstacle avoidance, and autonomous task sequencing. Nova Robotics has equipped the robot with a modular end-effector system, allowing quick swaps between parallel grippers, suction pads, and precision screwdrivers for manufacturing workflows. A 48V lithium-ion battery pack provides up to eight hours of continuous operation, with wireless inductive charging compatible with standard factory floor pads.

India Market Positioning and Pricing

Priced at ₹18.5 lakh for early pilot deployments, the Astra-2 is positioned as a budget-friendly alternative to imported humanoid platforms, which typically exceed ₹1.2 crore in the Indian market. The company offers a subscription-based robotics-as-a-service model starting at ₹45,000 per month, designed to lower capital expenditure for MSMEs and large-scale factories. Localized assembly in Chennai ensures faster maintenance cycles and software customization for regional industrial standards. The system complies with Indian safety protocols for collaborative robotics and carries CE and BIS certification readiness.

Deployment and Industry Rollout

Nova Robotics has secured initial pilot agreements with three automotive component manufacturers in Tamil Nadu and a logistics hub in Maharashtra. The Astra-2 units will undergo a six-month field trial focusing on pallet movement, quality inspection assistance, and inventory tracking. The company plans to scale production to 500 units annually by Q2 2025, with plans to integrate native Indian language voice commands and compatibility with existing PLC infrastructure. The launch aligns with India’s growing push toward domestic automation manufacturing under the PLI scheme for high-tech electronics.