| Svaya Robotics Bimanual | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Manufacturer | Svaya Robotics |
| Country of origin | India |
| Year introduced | 2024 |
| Status | In production |
| Type | Semi-humanoid dual-arm collaborative robot |
| Degrees of freedom | 17 total (7 per arm + 3 torso/head) |
| Precision | Sub-millimeter |
| Safety rating | Cat4 / PLd (ISO 13849-1:2023) |
| Protection class | IP67 |
| Website | svayarobotics.com/product |
The Svaya Robotics Bimanual is a semi-humanoid, dual-arm collaborative robot designed and manufactured by Svaya Robotics, an Indian robotics company headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana. The Bimanual is a research and industrial platform built for safe two-handed manipulation and human-robot interaction, targeting applications in manufacturing, assembly, inspection, and academic research.
Unveiled in 2024, the Bimanual represents one of the first indigenously developed dual-arm humanoid robotic systems to come out of India. The robot leverages Svaya's vertically integrated engineering capabilities in high-performance actuators, motion control, computer vision, and artificial intelligence. By mid-2024, Svaya had supplied a Bimanual unit to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad for research purposes, and by 2025, the company announced that a Gen 1.5 version had been shipped to an automotive client for deployment in production environments.[1][2]
Svaya Robotics was founded in September 2018 by Vijay R. Seelam, a mechanical engineer with an MS from the University of Florida and over two decades of experience in industrial engineering and product development. Before starting Svaya, Seelam worked as a consulting product engineer at Ford Motor Company (1995 to 1999), served as Director of Business Development at Altair (2003 to 2004), and co-founded ZUTI Engineering Solutions in Hyderabad in 2004.[3][4]
Seelam established Svaya Robotics with the goal of bringing human-centered robots to Indian manufacturing. The company's mission is to make physical work simpler, more productive, and adaptive by relieving people from difficult and repetitive tasks. From the beginning, Svaya pursued a vertically integrated approach, developing all hardware, software, and AI technology in-house rather than relying on imported components or licensed platforms.[5]
The company operates from its headquarters in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, and as of mid-2025 had approximately 52 employees working across mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software development, and AI research disciplines.[6]
Before developing the Bimanual platform, Svaya built its technical foundation through its SR-L series of 6-axis collaborative robots. The company debuted these cobots at IMTEX 2023, a major manufacturing technology exhibition held in Bengaluru from January 19 to 25, 2023. Svaya described the SR-L series as "India's first collaborative robots, completely designed and made in India."[7]
The SR-L series includes five models with varying payload capacities, including the SR-L3, SR-L6, SR-L10, SR-L12, and SR-L16. The model numbers roughly correspond to their payload capacity in kilograms. The SR-L6, for example, offers a 6 kg payload, 850 mm reach, 25.5 kg robot weight, maximum TCP speed of 2 m/s, and pose repeatability of 0.03 mm.[8] All models in the range feature digital twin capabilities, AI-driven adaptive control, built-in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and support for multiple industrial communication protocols including EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and Profinet.[7]
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Axes | 6 |
| Payload | 6 kg |
| Reach | 850 mm |
| Robot weight | 25.5 kg |
| Max TCP speed | 2 m/s |
| Pose repeatability | 0.03 mm |
| Functional safety | PL d / Cat. 3 |
| Protection class | IP54 |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 50 degrees C |
| Mounting | Any orientation |
| Communication protocols | EtherCAT, Modbus TCP, Ethernet IP, Profinet |
| Programming | Direct teaching, visual lead-through, Python |
The SR-L cobots were demonstrated alongside solution partners Fer Robotics, 3M, PHD, and Schmalz at IMTEX 2023. Applications showcased included assembly, machine tending, pick-and-place, welding, gluing, inspection, packaging, and a novel Touch Probe CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) system for quality metrology.[7][9]
The Bimanual platform emerged from Svaya's accumulated experience designing high-performance actuators, control systems, and perception pipelines for the SR-L series. Rather than simply pairing two existing 6-axis arms, Svaya engineered a purpose-built dual-arm system with a humanoid upper body, integrated stereo vision head, and 360-degree torso rotation. The design philosophy prioritized the ability to work in constrained spaces with human-like dexterity.
Svaya launched the Bimanual as "India's Dexterous Dual Arm Robot" in mid-2024. By May 2024, the company had supplied a unit to the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad (IIT ISM Dhanbad) for research in robotics and human-robot interaction.[1]
The Svaya Robotics Bimanual is a torso-mounted dual-arm system with a human-like form factor. It is classified as a semi-humanoid robot because it features an upper body (head, torso, and two arms) but does not include bipedal legs; instead, it is typically mounted on a fixed base, mobile platform, or workstation.
The Bimanual features 17 actuators distributed across its body. Each arm has 7 degrees of freedom (DOF), replicating the natural range of motion of a human arm and enabling the robot to reach into constrained spaces and around obstacles. The remaining 3 DOF are allocated to the torso and head assembly, providing 360-degree full body rotation and a pan-tilt head for directing the integrated stereo vision system.[10]
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Total actuators | 17 |
| Arm DOF | 7 per arm (14 total) |
| Torso/head DOF | 3 |
| Body rotation | 360 degrees |
| Precision | Sub-millimeter |
The dual-arm setup allows the Bimanual to grasp, hold, and position objects with precision using both arms simultaneously or independently. Torque sensors are integrated into all joints, enabling adaptive force control. This means the robot can dynamically adjust the force it applies during tasks, making it suitable for operations that range from delicate handling to more demanding manipulation tasks such as deburring, polishing, and grinding.[10]
The modular wrist design allows operators to swap end-effectors to match different task requirements. Svaya supports numerous third-party end-of-arm tooling through an open hardware interface.
The Bimanual is equipped with an integrated stereo vision system mounted on a pan-tilt head. This allows the robot to perform:
The vision system, combined with AI-driven perception algorithms, enables the robot to identify objects, plan grasping strategies, and verify assembly quality without requiring fixed jigs or pre-programmed positions for every scenario.[10]
The Bimanual is designed for collaborative operation alongside human workers. Its safety architecture conforms to Cat4 and PLd (Performance Level d) in accordance with ISO 13849-1:2023 and ISO 10218-1:2025. The torque sensors in all joints serve a dual purpose: they enable adaptive force control for manipulation tasks and provide collision detection for safety, allowing the robot to halt or reduce force when unexpected contact with a human operator is detected.[10]
The robot is engineered with IP67 protection, meaning it is fully sealed against dust ingress and can withstand temporary immersion in water. This makes the Bimanual suitable for deployment in harsh industrial environments where fluids, dust, and metal particles are present.[10]
The Bimanual runs on Svaya's proprietary software platform, which includes several key capabilities:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Robot type | Semi-humanoid, dual-arm collaborative |
| Total DOF | 17 (7+7 arms, 3 torso/head) |
| Body rotation | 360 degrees |
| Precision | Sub-millimeter |
| Joint sensing | Torque sensors in all joints |
| Vision | Integrated stereo vision with pan-tilt head |
| Safety standard | Cat4 / PLd per ISO 13849-1:2023, ISO 10218-1:2025 |
| Ingress protection | IP67 |
| Software | No-code interface, push-teach, digital twin, AI-driven perception |
| Communication | EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet |
| End-effectors | Modular wrist, open hardware interface for third-party tooling |
| Mounting | Fixed base, mobile platform, or workstation |
The Bimanual's primary target market is manufacturing automation, particularly for tasks that require two-handed coordination. Its dual-arm configuration enables it to hold a workpiece with one arm while performing an operation with the other, mimicking the way a human worker would approach complex assembly tasks. Specific manufacturing applications include:
Svaya's focus on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India is particularly notable. MSMEs have historically lacked access to advanced robotic automation, and Svaya positions both the SR-L series and the Bimanual as accessible solutions that do not require extensive factory retooling or specialized programming expertise.[11]
Svaya has stated that the Bimanual Gen 1.5 has been shipped to an automotive client for deployment in production, indicating commercial traction in the automotive manufacturing sector.[2]
The Bimanual is also positioned as a research platform for academic institutions studying robotics, human-robot interaction, dual-arm manipulation, and AI-driven autonomy. The delivery of a unit to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad in 2024 demonstrates this research orientation. As a platform designed for safe two-handed manipulation, it provides researchers with a system for experimenting with bimanual coordination algorithms, reinforcement learning for manipulation, and collaborative task planning.[1]
Svaya has indicated that the Bimanual is capable of operating in environments such as warehouses and factories. Its ability to handle varied objects with two arms and adapt to unstructured conditions makes it relevant for logistics tasks including sorting, kitting, packing, and palletizing.
While the Bimanual itself is focused on manufacturing and research applications, Svaya Robotics has broader experience in defense robotics that provides context for the company's engineering capabilities. In collaboration with two DRDO laboratories, the Research and Development Establishment (RDE) in Pune and the Defence Bio-Engineering and Electro Medical Laboratory (DEBEL) in Bangalore, Svaya developed two defense technology demonstrators:[12][13]
Both systems were developed as part of India's "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) initiative. Previously, such robotic systems were imported from the United States, France, and Russia. Svaya's indigenous development represented a significant step toward domestic defense robotics capability.[12][13]
The actuator technology, force control systems, and AI perception pipelines developed for these defense programs contributed to the engineering foundation underlying the Bimanual platform.
The Bimanual sits within a broader product portfolio that reflects Svaya's vertically integrated capabilities across different robotic form factors.
| Product | Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| SR-L3 | 6-axis collaborative robot | ~3 kg payload, compact form factor |
| SR-L6 | 6-axis collaborative robot | 6 kg payload, 850 mm reach, 0.03 mm repeatability |
| SR-L10 | 6-axis collaborative robot | ~10 kg payload |
| SR-L12 | 6-axis collaborative robot | ~12 kg payload |
| SR-L16 | 6-axis collaborative robot | ~16 kg payload |
| Bimanual | Semi-humanoid dual-arm robot | 17 DOF, 7 DOF per arm, stereo vision, IP67 |
| Quadruped | Four-legged robot | 25 kg payload, unstructured terrain navigation |
| Exoskeleton | Wearable augmentation | Tailored for Indian soldier anthropometry |
The Bimanual competes in a niche but growing segment of the global robotics market focused on dual-arm collaborative and humanoid systems. Established players in the dual-arm space include:
The Bimanual differentiates itself from these platforms through its 7-DOF arms (providing more dexterous motion than many competitors), 360-degree torso rotation, IP67 industrial-grade protection, and its positioning as an indigenously developed Indian alternative.
India's robotics market was valued at approximately USD 1.98 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 7.38 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.74%.[15] According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), India installed 8,510 new industrial robots in 2023, a 59% increase over the previous year, signaling rapid adoption of automation across Indian manufacturing.
Several Indian companies are building domestic robotics capabilities:
| Company | Location | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Svaya Robotics | Hyderabad | Collaborative robots, dual-arm humanoids |
| Addverb Technologies | Noida | Warehouse automation, humanoid robots (ELIXIS-W) |
| ATI Motors (Sherpa Mecha) | Bangalore | Autonomous mobile robots, humanoids |
| Systemantics | Bangalore | Industrial automation, defense robotics |
Addverb Technologies, backed by Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries, unveiled its ELIXIS-W wheeled humanoid robot at the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, positioning it for warehouse and intralogistics operations.[16] ATI Motors launched its Sherpa Mecha humanoid in mid-2025, entering the bipedal humanoid race.[17]
Svaya differentiates itself from these competitors through its focus on precision manufacturing applications, its vertically integrated full-stack approach (designing all hardware, software, and AI in-house), and its established track record with the SR-L cobot series and DRDO defense collaborations.
The Indian government's "Make in India" initiative and the "Aatma Nirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) campaign have created favorable policy conditions for domestic robotics companies. These programs encourage indigenous development of advanced technology and aim to reduce India's dependence on imported industrial robots from Japan, Germany, Switzerland, and China.
Svaya Robotics positions itself as a direct beneficiary and contributor to these initiatives. The company's entirely domestic design and manufacturing process for the SR-L series and Bimanual platform aligns with the government's push for technology self-reliance. The DRDO collaborations on the quadruped robot and exoskeleton further demonstrate Svaya's role in India's defense indigenization efforts.[12]
Svaya Robotics is a privately held company that has remained bootstrapped through its product development and early deployment phases. As of 2026, the company has not raised any formal venture capital funding rounds. Svaya has indicated openness to prospective investors through convertible notes or debt instruments and has expressed interest in institutional and family office investors ahead of an anticipated Series A financing round.[5][18]
The company is registered as Svaya Robotics Private Limited (CIN: U74999TG2018PTC127157) in Telangana, India.[19]