Ati Robotics leverages Indian manufacturing to sidestep new US ban on Chinese robots

U.S. regulators have just banned many Chinese-manufactured humanoid and advanced robots from import, citing security concerns. Ati Robotics, a startup started in 2017 by Saurabh Chandra, sees the move as an opportunity because its robots are built in Bangalore and use few parts sourced from China. Its flagship 10,000-pound tugger is essentially China-free, and even its pallet mover contains less than five percent Chinese components.

The firm still sources some items, such as battery cells and a harmonic drive, from China but can switch to suppliers in South Korea, Japan or Germany. Ati currently has several hundred robots deployed across warehouses and factories, with more than 50 customers, and plans to assemble its upcoming humanoid in a new Michigan facility. Chandra noted that while the ban will challenge many U.S. firms, it could spur domestic production and benefit companies that have already diversified their supply chains.