Zoho acquires Kochi-based Asimov Robotics, opens R&D campus in Kerala

Zoho Corporation has acquired Kochi-based deeptech startup Asimov Robotics to step into AI, robotics research and deep-tech innovation.

About Zoho's new acquisition of deeptech startup

The company officially announced this on July 2 during the inauguration of Zoho’s research and development campus in Kerala’s Kottarakkara.

Founded in 2012 by Jayakrishnan T, the startup Asimov Robotics is known for building service and industrial robots.

It develops humanoid robots, healthcare and assistive robots and robotic platforms for industrial automation and disaster management.

Asimov Robotics has worked with multiple institutions on robotics research and deployment. They had been building robots for hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The company stated that its Kottarakkara campus will be dedicated to cutting-edge R&D in these areas, focusing on building capabilities locally and making India self-reliant in critical technologies.

“This campus will strengthen our R&D capabilities, starting with AI and robotics. We will also collaborate with like-minded deep-tech organisations to amplify our efforts,” said Shailesh Davey, co-founder and CEO of Zoho Corp.

Sridhar Vembu's Zoho partners with Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) 

Zoho has partnered with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to co-develop a “deep-tech product studio” to support startups and researchers working on frontier technologies.

Zoho is the first industry partner for the programme that will offer mentorship and also collaborate with participants on real-world applications.

The company’s goal is to nurture innovation from rural India while solving high-end technology challenges, Davey shared.

The Chennai-based tech company also announced R&D collaborations with Boson Motors, Vipus Advanced Materials, vTitan, Zentron Labs, Verdant Telemetry & Antenna Systems, Netrasemi, Energy 24by7, and IIT-Bombay, covering areas such as clean energy, semiconductors, healthcare tech, and advanced materials.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the Kottarakkara campus in the presence of Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu, US CEO Tony Thomas and others.

Also read: 139‑YO canned-food brand Del Monte Foods files for bankruptcy, seeking buyer (startuppedia.in)