Social Hardware, an inclusive innovation startup that designs and develops cutting-edge assistive devices, bionics, and field robotics, has raised INR 3.2 Crore in a Seed Round led by Inflection Point Ventures, with Ivyleague Ventures and Soonicorn Ventures participating as co-investors. The funds will be allocated towards key growth and go-to-market initiatives, building a strong marketing and sales team, establishing an advanced R&D facility, expanding in-house manufacturing capabilities, and strengthening R&D efforts.
Social Hardware specializes in teleoperated robotic systems designed for hazardous operations. The company serves industries such as manufacturing, infrastructure, defense, and aerospace, delivering innovative solutions that enhance safety and operational efficiency in challenging environments.
Social Hardware was co-founded by Abhit Kumar, Cameron Norris (Chief Marketing/Management Officer), and Raghavendran Arunachalam. Abhit, with a background in Instrumentation and Biomedical Engineering, has led the development of assistive devices, robotic systems impacting underserved communities and high-risk sectors like defense and aerospace. Cameron, an expert in social digital marketing, played a key role in scaling Wevolver, a global open-source hardware platform, to international success. Raghavendran, with advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, brings expertise in electronics system design, embedded systems, and defense-grade product development, driving the technical innovation behind Social Hardware’s robotic solutions.
Vikram Ramasubramanian, Partner, Inflection Point Ventures says, “Technology went far and beyond in many sectors but remained untouched in some like manufacturing, defense, and aerospace where it still needs human intervention. The challenge of hazardous operations in these sectors has posed a long threat to safety, often limiting innovation and progress. Social Hardware; with its teleoperated robotic system, addresses this critical issue by offering safer alternatives like robots that can be controlled remotely, removing the physical need of a human in a dangerous environment. With innovation that brings inclusivity to both sectors and society, Social Hardware is a pioneer that will bring out positive change in manufacturing, defense, and aerospace sectors.”
Abhit Kumar, Co-founder & CEO, Social Hardware, says, “At Social Hardware, we are transforming how industries manage hazardous environments with teleoperated robots engineered to perform high-risk tasks with precision and safety, reducing the need for direct human involvement. Our technology doesn’t replace workers but enhances their capabilities—enabling them to control robots remotely and apply their expertise while staying safe. Over the past two years, we’ve advanced telerobotics to help industries operate more efficiently and safely. Many companies still rely on outdated methods, exposing workers to unnecessary risks. Our cutting-edge solutions, including augmented reality and gesture-based controls, are designed to minimize these dangers while keeping human expertise at the heart of operations.”
Social Hardware’s strengths lie in its advanced, patent-pending teleoperation systems, featuring AR-controlled robots equipped with gesture-based control technology that improve safety and efficiency in hazardous environments. Their intuitive interface enables precise remote control with minimal training, while twin modular end-effectors, including biomechanical hands and specialized tools, offer versatile solutions for a variety of mission-critical tasks. Additionally, their mesh network technology ensures secure, reliable communication during operations, even in compromised environments, using AES-256 encryption and automatic data rerouting.
The company operates with a team of 17 across two locations in Bengaluru, including a corporate office in Hebbal and an R&D facility in Rajajinagar. Currently, Social Hardware has a production capacity of 12 units for FY 2024-25, which is set to triple to 36 units by FY 2025-26, aiming for a revenue capacity of ₹24.76 crore.
Social Hardware gained recognition with the #MyFirstRakhi campaign, enabling children with limb differences to participate in Raksha Bandhan using custom prosthetics. Recently, they unveiled the Eclipse robot at Bengaluru Space Expo 2024.
The global teleoperation and robotics market is projected to reach USD 22.5 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2021-2026, driven by demand in industries like aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors for safer remote operations. The Asia-Pacific region, including India, is expected to account for 18.36% of the global market, with India’s market growing at a CAGR of 13%, fueled by increasing demand in defense, manufacturing, and hazardous industrial applications. India’s robotics market, valued at USD 2.71 billion in 2020, is expected to reach USD 7.77 billion by 2027.