Ati Robotics Builds Nearly China-Free Robot Ahead of FCC Ban
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- Ati Robotics founder Saurabh Chandra says his company builds the most China-independent robots in the US market, with its 10,000-pound tugger "really China-free" and its pallet mover using less than 5% Chinese parts
- The FCC last week banned new models of Chinese-made humanoids and other advanced devices from being imported to the US over national security concerns, a move that could hamper smaller US robotics firms that still rely on Chinese hardware
- Ati Robotics has several hundred robots in operation at warehouses and factories with more than 50 customers, and will deploy its first humanoid—designed to move heavy bins—later this year
- Ati Robotics is establishing a facility in Madison Heights near Detroit, Michigan, where it will eventually assemble robots after currently manufacturing all units in Bangalore
- The startup uses induction motors rather than Chinese-made brushless motors with magnets, trading some efficiency for more battery life, and sources its tugger's lidar from US-based Ouster since its pallet mover's Chinese solid-state lidar has no non-China alternative
- Investment in robotics startups hit record highs this year in both deal count and dollars per PitchBook, yet many companies primarily develop software and still rely on Chinese hardware suppliers
- Chandra said the US robotics industry is "in denial" about the new ban, called it "a bit of a tragedy" that robots invented in the US aren't being made domestically, and named Tesla's Optimus and Figure as other beneficiaries
Why it matters: US robotics startups that outsourced hardware to China now face supply disruptions under the FCC ban, while Ati's years-long bet on Indian supply chains—including locally sourced induction motors instead of Chinese brushless magnets—gives it a pricing and availability edge competitors will need years to replicate. The company is expanding to Michigan to serve US customers directly.
