Robotics Startup Ati Motors Raises $20 Million in Series B Funding

Bengaluru-based industrial robotics startup Ati Motors has secured $20 million in a Series B funding round led by Walden Catalyst Ventures and NGP Capital. This investment brings the company’s total funding to over $37 million.

The funding round also saw participation from existing investors True Ventures, Exfinity Venture Partners, Athera Venture Partners, and Blume Ventures. The company claimed that the funding would support product development and geographic expansion.

The previous investments follow a $3.5 million pre-Series A funding round led by Blume Ventures and Exfinity Venture Partners, among others and a $10.85 million Series A round led by True Ventures in July 2023. 

Commenting on the funding, Saurabh Chandra, founder and CEO of Ati Motors, expressed on LinkedIn, “The future is clear: Gen Z is rejecting dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs. Millions of robots will soon free humans from robotic work, enabling them to focus on creativity and innovation.”

He also highlighted that the company aims to expand its range of products while deepening its presence in established markets such as the US, Mexico, India, Thailand, and Singapore. 

The company is also prioritising the development of advanced AI models to better serve its customers. “Recently, one of the major European truck manufacturers adopted our fleet management software to oversee all robots in its factory. We are now capable of managing multi-vendor robots in our software workflows,” Chandra added. 

Ati Motors has deployed its Sherpa Tug robots in over 40 manufacturing facilities, including those of Forvia and Hyundai, and has significant operations in North America. Over 30% of the company’s client portfolio comprises Fortune 500 companies.

These robots, capable of towing loads of up to three tonnes, have collectively covered over 5 lakh kilometres in diverse factory environments. The company also offers bin movers, pallet movers, and lifting platforms to cater to various industrial needs.

As part of its global strategy, Ati Motors recently established operations in Mexico and expanded its North American headquarters in Detroit. Its robots integrate AI, computer vision, and advanced hardware, serving industries such as automotive, electrical, appliance, and aerospace. 

The company plans to scale its robot deployments from the three-digit range to the four-digit range within two years and strengthen its presence in North America and the Asia-Pacific region. 

Chandra pointed out that shifting manufacturing patterns under the ‘China plus one’ strategy is creating significant opportunities, particularly in North America, where workforce shortages for routine goods movement persist.

Chandra noted that manufacturers are increasingly adopting robotics to address workforce shortages in hazardous and repetitive tasks, but many existing solutions fail to match human performance in real-world settings, which is an issue Ati Motors seeks to address.

Since its inception, Ati Motors has raised $34.35 million across multiple funding rounds. Its backers include Village Global, an early-stage fund supported by Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos.

This funding surge reflects the growing demand for AI and robotics in manufacturing and logistics. In October 2024, Pune-based Haber raised $38 million, while Hyderabad-based Perceptyne secured $3 million, highlighting the sector’s momentum. 

Investors have also expressed optimism about Ati Motors’ trajectory. 

“Ati Motors’ unique combination of advanced AI capabilities and robotics, along with a deep understanding of manufacturing environments, positions them perfectly to lead the next wave of industrial automation,” Walden Catalyst Ventures’ partner Shankar Chandran said. 

Since its inception, Ati Motors has focused on manufacturing automation inspired by self-driving cars. It integrates AI, computer vision, and advanced robotics to tackle real-world challenges on factory floors.

Meanwhile, Upal Basu, partner at NGP Capital, said, “The company’s ability to successfully deploy fully autonomous mobile robots across diverse industrial environments, combined with their rapidly growing customer base, makes them a standout in the industrial automation space.”