Quietly taking shape inside a small robotics lab in Mumbai, a homegrown humanoid robot is drawing attention for its ambition and intent. Vanar Robots, a young startup, has unveiled its first humanoid concept, Vanar Generation 1, positioning itself among the earliest Indian companies working to design and build indigenous humanoid robots for real-world use.
Founded in 2024 by Aryan Wagh in Mumbai, Maharashtra, Vanar Robots operates with a compact team of about 2–10 members. The company’s stated mission is to create “a new species” of human-shaped robots that can act as practical partners in physically demanding, repetitive, or unsustainable jobs currently handled by human workers.
Its flagship humanoid, Vanar Generation 1, reflects this goal. The robot is planned to stand about 5’9” tall and weigh around 50 kg. It is being developed as a general-purpose humanoid capable of lifting, carrying, cleaning, inspecting, and supporting operational tasks. The design focuses on operating in spaces already built for humans, using humanoid-style movement to function effectively in real-world environments.
According to the company, this approach allows organisations to continue operations while human workers focus on supervision, judgment, and decision-making. The humanoid is still under development, with current progress showing a partial physical structure that includes one arm, half a torso, and a skeletal head frame. Concept visuals shared by the startup offer a glimpse of its intended futuristic design.
Vanar Robots has highlighted several in-house innovations, including a 1 kg actuator capable of delivering 350 Nm of torque. The actuator is designed to safely carry humans in emergency or disaster scenarios, reflecting the company’s emphasis on strength and safety.
Among the development milestones already achieved are early-stage walking movements, described by the team as similar to a baby taking its first steps, and a functioning on-and-off system, indicating progress toward autonomy. A key long-term objective is to ensure humanoids can integrate smoothly into everyday human environments.
The startup expects to deploy its first production-ready humanoid between late 2026 and early 2027. Online, the project has generated strong reactions across LinkedIn, Instagram, and Reddit, where users have praised its indigenous and Marathi roots. One post read: “From Make in India to Move in India Mumbai building the future, one humanoid at a time.” Another said: “The real benchmark isn’t looking human, it’s performing like a machine.”
While scaling from prototype to production remains a challenge, Vanar Robots’ focus on practical intelligence, safety, and physical capability marks a notable step in India’s growing humanoid robotics journey.
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