AI-Powered Delivery Robot Slashes Costs by Ditching Lidar

A San Francisco start-up believes it is about to usher in a revolutionary era for delivery robots with the launch of its groundbreaking new solution.

Vayu Robotics says its Vayu One is the first roadgoing delivery robot in the world that utilizes the power of modern artificial intelligence models while eschewing expensive lidar sensors.

Credit: Vayu Robotics

The result, it claims, is a solution that could slash the cost of e-commerce deliveries – a potentially important breakthrough given that it’s estimated that 23% of retail purchases in the United States will be made online by 2027.

Until now, conventional delivery robots have tended to rely on costly lidar and software modules that are built to do one task at a time. This has led to expensive hardware teamed with software that can struggle to cope with new or unexpected scenarios.

In addition, many of the robots we have seen up to now are restricted to operating on sidewalks.

Vayu says it has eliminated the need for lidar by combining a transformer-based mobility foundation model with a powerful passive sensor, resulting in a “first-of-a-kind” robot that sets new standards.

For example, it is claimed the Vayu One is capable of operating autonomously – without any pre-mapping – on city streets, plus can navigate inside stores and even unload packages on driveways or porches.

Related:Velodyne Brings Lidar Tech to Spot the Robot Dog

Top speed is a relatively brisk 20 mph, while maximum carrying capacity is 100 pounds.

Already there is tangible interest in the product. Vayu recently signed a substantial commercial agreement with an as-yet-unnamed “large e-commerce player.”

The agreement will see it deploy 2,500 Vayu Ones to enable ultra-fast goods delivery. Similar other deals are thought to be in the pipeline.

Vayu is also working with a “leading global robotics manufacturer” to replace lidar with its tech for other robotic applications. 

CEO Anand Gopalan, previously of lidar supplier Velodyne, said: “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.

And he added: “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.”

Vayu is backed by Khosla Ventures and Lockheed Martin Ventures and has raised $12.7 million in funding to this point. It is understood another funding round is imminent.