Ati Robotics Builds Nearly China-Free Robots in India
Original: How One Startup Built a (Mostly) China-Free Robot
Why This Matters
FCC's China robot ban reshapes US supply chains, creating openings for non-Chinese robotics manufacturers.
US-based startup Ati Robotics assembles its robots in India with minimal Chinese components. Following the FCC's ban on Chinese humanoid imports over national security concerns, Ati's supply chain strategy positions it to benefit as competitors relying on Chinese hardware face disruption.
Ati Robotics, founded in 2017 by Saurabh Chandra, originally developed motors for self-driving cars before pivoting to industrial robots including tuggers and pallet movers. The company conducts R&D in Bangalore, India, where it also assembles its robots—a decision driven partly by cost efficiency and access to EV supply chain components developed for India's two- and three-wheeler electric vehicle market.
The startup currently has several hundred robots in operation across warehouses and factories, serving more than 50 customers. Its first humanoid robot, designed to move heavy bins, is expected to enter service later in 2026.
Ati's industrial tugger and pallet mover models use very few Chinese-sourced parts. The humanoid's full arm and actuators are manufactured in Bangalore, though some components such as harmonic drives are still sourced from China. Chandra describes these varying levels of non-Chinese sourcing as 'supply chain resiliency.'
The timing is significant: the FCC recently banned new models of Chinese humanoid robots and other advanced devices from being imported into the US on national security grounds. According to PitchBook, investment in robotics startups hit record highs in 2026 in both deal count and dollars. However, many US robotics firms still depend heavily on Chinese hardware suppliers, leaving them exposed to the new restrictions.