Kochi-based humanoid robotics startup iHub Robotics has raised INR 4.3 crore (~ USD 5,20,000) in a pre-seed funding from US-based investors. This is part of the company’s plan to make India the hub of humanoid robotics and AI. The funds will be used to set up India’s largest humanoid robotics manufacturing unit in Kerala, which will create over 150 new jobs in the next two years and boost the economy of the region.
Redefining Robotics
iHub Robotics was founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Athil Krishna, Akhil K Haridasan and Sarath S. The trio brings together expertise in robotics, artificial intelligence and business strategy to build a company that can change industries. Their mission is to integrate physical AI and robotics into daily business functions to supercharge human capabilities and increase automation and efficiency.
At the heart of iHub Robotics’ success is its flagship semi-humanoid robot, Tara Gen-1. Launched as India’s most advanced semi-humanoid robot, Tara Gen-1 has already gone international with exports to UAE and Saudi Arabia. The robot can support multiple industries – hospitality, healthcare, transportation hubs, retail customer service. Tara Gen-1 has AI-powered speech recognition, can have natural conversations, real-time decision making, multi-language support, human emotion detection. It can navigate and respond to queries intelligently making it a valuable tool for organisations to enhance customer experience.
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International Recognition
In January 2025, iHub Robotics became the first Indian company to be selected for the prestigious NVIDIA Humanoid Robotics Program. This means iHub Robotics gets access to NVIDIA technology, research collaborations and global innovation network. This partnership puts iHub Robotics as a leader in the global robotics industry, opening up new opportunities for product development and market expansion.
Education and Talent Development
In addition to manufacturing and exports, iHub Robotics is committed to building the next generation of robotics innovators. The company has launched the iHub School of Learning which is a platform to educate and train students in AI, robotics and deep-tech. The school is targeting to train 1,00,000 students with future-ready skills so that India has a ready talent pipeline to meet the needs of evolving industries. The program includes hands-on workshops, online courses and real-world projects so that students can develop practical expertise.
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CEO’s Vision
Speaking on the recent funding, Athil Krishna, CEO of iHub Robotics said, “This is a big step towards our dream of Physical AI where robots will blend into industries to supercharge human capabilities. By setting up India’s largest humanoid robotics manufacturing unit, we are not building robots; we are building the future of AI-driven automation globally. This facility will not only enhance our manufacturing capabilities but also drive innovation that can benefit industries worldwide.”
The Kerala facility will not only create new jobs but also a culture of innovation in India’s deep-tech ecosystem. iHub Robotics will support startups and research initiatives to build a robust robotics industry that can compete globally.
What’s Next
With a clear vision, strong investors and strategic partnerships, iHub Robotics is all set to make India a robotics leader globally. The combination of technological innovation, talent development and global reach is the perfect recipe for a future where intelligent robots will be an integral part of business and life.
As iHub Robotics takes off, the industry and everyone is watching to see how this first mover will disrupt the robotics landscape in India and beyond.