SRS Robotics Launches Nova Humanoid Amid Series A Funding - RobotWale News

New Delhi-based robotics startup SRS Robotics has officially unveiled its first commercial humanoid robot, Nova, marking a significant milestone for India's automation sector. The launch event, held in New Delhi on October 15, 2024, highlighted the robot's capabilities in logistics and manufacturing environments. The company aims to bridge the gap between advanced AI and physical labor in the Indian industrial landscape.

Technology and Capabilities

Nova is designed to perform complex tasks requiring dexterity, such as inventory management and assembly line operations. The 1.6-meter tall humanoid features a dual-arm system with 20+ degrees of freedom. It operates on a proprietary AI stack that allows for real-time navigation in unstructured environments. The team claims a 40% increase in task efficiency compared to traditional semi-automated systems currently used in Indian factories. The robot runs on a high-capacity battery system, offering up to eight hours of continuous operation before recharging.

Funding and Market Pricing

Alongside the product launch, SRS Robotics announced it has secured a Series A funding round valued at $5 million. This investment will fund mass production and R&D for the next generation of models. For the Indian market, the initial pricing for the Nova unit is set at approximately ₹25 Lakhs, making it competitive against imported alternatives which often cost over ₹50 Lakhs.

The startup aims to deploy 50 units across industrial clusters in Maharashtra and Gujarat within the next 12 months. This move aligns with the Indian government's push for robotic adoption in manufacturing under the Make in India initiative. CEO Rohan Gupta stated that the funding provides the necessary runway to scale operations and reduce dependency on foreign hardware. The company is also exploring partnerships with major automotive manufacturers to integrate Nova into their supply chains.

Industry analysts suggest this launch positions India as a key player in the global humanoid robotics race. The company plans to offer a leasing model to SMEs, lowering the barrier to entry for smaller manufacturers. This strategy is expected to accelerate the adoption rate in the next fiscal year. The startup also highlighted plans to open a dedicated testing facility in Bangalore by Q1 2025 to validate software updates remotely.