Thiruvananthapuram: Sastra Robotics, a Kochi based startup and registered with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), has received export orders for nearly 160 of its robots from clients in the United Kingdom and the United States. Its robots employ AI to perform testing tasks that cannot be carried out by humans.

Founded by P Aronin, Achu Wilson and Akhil A — Sastra’s robots are equipped with advanced arms and force-controlled fingers, that function like human limbs, and are used to detect flaws in sophisticated equipment used in sectors such as space, defence and banking.

Fifteen robots have already reached the UK, and 135 are expected to ship by the end of this month or early next month, according to P Aronin, Sastra’s CEO,  “Apart from this, we have started shipping robots to the US. One has already reached California, and a batch of 10 is under production,” he added.

The robots eliminate the need for human intervention in detecting hardware and software faults in electronic smart devices with touch displays. Besides, they can also anticipate the cause of the failure using AI. Sastra’s customers include Bosch, HCL, Qualcomm, Tech Mahindra, and ABB.

Sastra focuses on testing automation and now plans to develop robotic hands that could be used as prosthetics for amputees and physically challenged persons. It will soon be opening an office in California, which will be followed by one in Bengaluru next year.

“The robots do the job three times faster than humans and make the process less expensive. Our price advantage is one of the attractions for foreign clients. Moreover, there is high demand for advanced robots in the west,” Aronin noted.