Unibose Technology, a pioneering deeptech robotics startup based in Chennai, has successfully raised Rs 5.5 crore in a pre-Series A funding round to expand its cutting-edge robotic solutions designed for hazardous, explosive, and confined industrial environments. This fresh capital injection will help Unibose scale its breakthrough technology, which is transforming safety and operational efficiency in high-risk sectors like oil & gas, chemicals, fertilizers, and heavy industries.
Strategic Funding Led by O2 Angels with Key Industry Investors
The funding round was led by O2 Angels, with significant participation from IN44 Capital, Coimbatore Innovation and Business Incubator, and several strategic angel investors. This follows an earlier seed round of Rs 2.5 crore raised from StartupTN, underscoring growing investor confidence in Unibose’s innovative robotics platform.
Rajesh Ranjan, Co-Founder of O2 Angels, praised the startup’s technical expertise and scalable robotics platform, calling Unibose “a true example of Indian engineering making a global impact.” Similarly, Sathish Ganesan, Partner at IN44 Capital, highlighted the startup’s market-ready, certified robotic solutions as a “safety revolution” for high-risk industries.
Asia’s First ATEX Zone-0 Compliant Robot for Live Hazardous Environments
Founded by Manikandan Dakshinamoorthy, Samayaraj Durairaj, Sakthivel Panneerselvam, and Venkatesh Sundaramurthy, Unibose has developed the NMER robot, Asia’s first and the world’s third ATEX Zone-0 certified robot capable of operating inside live petroleum, chemical, and gas tanks. These environments are extremely dangerous, often containing explosive gases, zero oxygen, and toxic residues, making human entry nearly impossible.
In addition to the robot, Unibose has engineered custom-certified Zone-0 vision and lighting systems, making it the only company in Asia to offer a fully integrated, certified robotic and vision system for confined space operations. This comprehensive solution significantly enhances safety, inspection accuracy, and operational efficiency.
Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) Model Drives Adoption Without Upfront Investment
Unibose operates on a Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, enabling industries to access life-saving automation without heavy upfront capital expenditure. This flexible approach is accelerating adoption across sectors that traditionally face high risks and costs in manual inspections and maintenance.
The startup’s technology has already been deployed in major Indian industrial facilities, including IOCL and CPCL, where it has passed stringent safety and performance evaluations.
Plans for Expansion and AI-Driven R&D
With the new funding, Unibose plans to scale its operations across India, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and Southeast Asia. The company will also boost its R&D efforts, focusing on AI-powered inspection and compliance tools to further enhance the capabilities of its robotic systems.
Founder and CEO Manikandan Dakshinamoorthy stated, “The NMER Robot isn’t just a product — it’s a safety revolution. We have engineered a solution to a global problem that has long been ignored. This funding empowers us to build a strong OEM and partner ecosystem and accelerate global scale-up.”
Unibose: Pioneering Industrial Safety with Deeptech Robotics
Unibose’s innovative robotics platform addresses a critical need for safer, more efficient inspection and maintenance in hazardous industrial environments. By combining advanced robotics, certified safety standards, and AI-driven technologies, the startup is setting new benchmarks for industrial automation in India and beyond.
As India’s deeptech ecosystem continues to grow, Unibose exemplifies how homegrown innovation can tackle complex global challenges, driving industrial safety and operational excellence.