“This order, following stringent approvals and successful prototype performance, not only opens new avenues for us but also reinforces our vision of positioning Make in India mobile robots on the global stage — in a sector currently dominated by large US and Chinese players.” Milind Padolee, Founder & Managing Director, ARAPL
Affordable Robotic and Automation Limited (ARAPL), India’s first listed robotics company, has announced that its subsidiary, ARAPL RaaS (Humro), has secured another order for its autonomous forklift from a leading US-based logistics player. The order marks Humro’s entry into a new product category and represents a significant milestone in ARAPL’s global expansion journey.
Following comprehensive and successful prototype trials conducted over the past three months at the client’s facilities, the new order includes six robots valued at ₹4.13 crore, leased for a period of two years. This order opens the door to large-scale deployment opportunities, with the potential for 47–50 mobile robots to be installed in each of the client’s two US warehouses over the next two years.
“With an increasing number of customers validating our products, we are delighted and deeply encouraged by this growing confidence in our technology,” said Milind Padolee, Founder & Managing Director, ARAPL. “This order, following stringent approvals and successful prototype performance, not only opens new avenues for us but also reinforces our vision of positioning Make in India mobile robots on the global stage — in a sector currently dominated by large US and Chinese players. This achievement propels us closer to that goal, strengthening our ambition to scale next-generation automation platforms across international markets,” he said.
Equipped with LiDAR-based navigation, real-time obstacle detection, and precision control algorithms, the fully autonomous robots are engineered for safe, 24/7 operations. They integrate seamlessly with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP platforms, improving productivity while reducing operational costs.
To accelerate growth, ARAPL has announced a proposed investment of USD 8–10 million in Humro, including USD 3 million infused personally by Milind Padolee. The infusion, structured as an interest-free loan, includes an option for conversion into equity.
“Being a deep-tech robotics player in a high-growth global market, Humro has consistently delivered on its promise since its inception in 2021. With a robust product portfolio and strong client validation, we are now well-positioned to expand our customer base,” added Mr. Padolee.
