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How One Startup Built a (Mostly) China-Free Robot
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- DeepHorus
US regulators last week banned imports of Chinese-made robots, citing national security concerns, and Ati Robotics is ready to seize the moment. Founder Saurabh Chandra says his India-assembled robots use fewer Chinese parts than nearly any other US robotics company.
Investment in robotics startups hit record highs this year, per PitchBook, but many firms focus on software and still depend on Chinese hardware. The Federal Communications Commissionâs ban on new humanoids and advanced devices from China could hamper smaller US firms, while benefiting companies like Ati.
Ati Robotics was founded in 2017 to develop motors for self-driving cars, then pivoted to building tuggers and pallet movers for large facilities. Chandra developed proprietary hardware despite adviser warnings, a bet that naturally limited reliance on China.
The bet has paid off. Ati now operates several hundred robots in warehouses and factories, serving over 50 customers, Chandra says. Its first humanoid, designed to move heavy bins, will enter service later this year.
Chandra told WIRED that two best-selling modelsâa 10,000-pound tugger and a pallet moverâuse very few Chinese parts. The tugger is essentially China-free, with only battery cells sourced from China; the pallet mover has less than 5% Chinese components.
R&D in Bangalore leverages India's electric vehicle supply chain, using automotive-grade components produced in large volumes, which keeps costs low and reliability high. The company even uses induction motors, avoiding Chinese magnets, a different choice from many robot makers.
The humanoid still uses Chinese harmonic drives and frameless motors for now, but Chandra notes battery cells could easily come from South Korea or Japan. He argues his robots compete on price and performance, positioning Ati to gain as the FCC ban reshapes the market.
