In today's era of rapid technological advancement, humanoid robots are gradually transitioning from the realm of science fiction to reality.
According to a Bloomberg report, Sangeet Kumar, the co-founder and CEO of Indian robotics company Addverb Technologies, stated in a recent interview that the company is officially entering the promising market of humanoid robots and plans to launch its first humanoid robot in 2025.
Since its establishment in 2016, Addverb Technologies has set up 15 offices worldwide and successfully attracted more than 350 clients. It has also received support from Reliance Industries Limited, one of India's largest private sector groups, which is involved in telecommunications, energy, retail, and other sectors. In recent years, with the vigorous development of the global technology industry, Reliance Industries Limited has increased its investment in high-tech fields, particularly in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
In 2022, Reliance Industries Limited acquired 54% of Addverb's shares for $132 million. In 2024, Reliance President Mukesh Ambani became Asia's richest person with a net worth of 830 billion yuan.
At the NVIDIA AI Summit 2024 India in October, Addverb Technologies revealed its significant investment in humanoid robotics to select individuals. According to the plan, Addverb Technologies will initially produce humanoid robots at a factory in Noida, near the Indian capital of New Delhi, with an initial annual capacity of about 100 units. Addverb Technologies has completed the design of the humanoid robots, and its products will target the Western market of the United States and Europe, competing with humanoid robots from other countries.
To ensure the optimal balance between functionality and production costs for humanoid robots, Addverb Technologies not only relies on the technical support of Reliance Industries Limited but is also actively seeking collaboration with external technology giants. For instance, the company is working with international leaders such as NVIDIA, Qualcomm, and Intel to introduce the latest processors, 5G technology, and motherboard solutions to enhance the robots' processing speed, data interaction capabilities, and intelligent decision-making levels.
Sangeet Kumar said that Addverb Technologies' humanoid robots can perform tasks in fashion, retail, and the energy industry, but did not mention specific use cases or pricing. In addition, the company is in early discussions with the Indian Space Research Organisation about the possibility of humanoid robots being sent to Mars for missions.
The development of humanoid robots is not only about technological innovation but also involves ethics and social responsibility. With the continuous advancement of robotics technology, how to ensure that these intelligent entities serve humans without infringing on personal privacy or causing job displacement has become a focus of widespread societal concern. Addverb Technologies stated that the company will actively participate in related discussions and is committed to creating efficient and responsible robotic products.
Furthermore, Addverb Technologies also intends to apply its technology to the military field. The company is currently developing quadrupedal robots for the Indian military and is collaborating with a state-owned defense electronics company. This indicates that the company is dedicated to contributing to national security while pursuing commercial success.