By combining Serve’s autonomy stack and sidewalk dataset with Vayu’s expertise in AI foundation models and its simulation-powered data engine, Serve can train models using both real and simulated data.
Serve Robotics has acquired AI-based urban robot navigation company Vayu Robotics to enhance its AI-driven autonomous delivery. According to media reports, the deal has a value of $240m.
The acquisition represents an important step in Serve’s mission to reshape autonomous delivery. As demand for “physical AI” continues to grow, bringing Vayu onboard strengthens Serve’s position in the evolving robotics industry.
By combining Serve’s autonomy stack and sidewalk dataset with Vayu’s expertise in AI foundation models and its simulation-powered data engine, Serve can train models using both real and simulated data.
The combination of Serve and Vayu is expected to:
- Advance Serve’s roadmap by adding Vayu’s interpretable, foundation-model-driven navigation to Serve’s third-generation robots, which run on the NVIDIA Orin edge AI platform.
- Strengthen autonomy training through a high-speed, photorealistic simulation engine that complements Serve’s real-world dataset to support scalable and diverse AI training.
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- Support expansion into new delivery use cases and operating environments, such as bike lanes and road margins, enabling entry into additional customer categories and regions.
- Improve safety, reliability and efficiency to reduce operating costs across Serve’s growing fleet.
Vayu’s Founders, Anand Gopalan, Mahesh Krishnamurthi and Nitish Srivastava, bring unique perspectives shaped by their expertise in AI and machine learning, hardware systems, and large-scale production.
In addition, Vayu’s Lead Investor, Vinod Khosla, will join Serve’s Advisory Board to support its mission of bringing robots to cities across the world.
“With this acquisition, Serve solidifies its leadership position, not just in current robotic delivery operations, but in shaping the future of autonomous robotic navigation,” said Dr. Ali Kashani, CEO and Co-Founder of Serve Robotics.
“This step marks a significant milestone in Serve’s roadmap toward wide-scale deployment of autonomous robots on sidewalks across the nation, aligning with industry predictions of rapid robot adoption.”
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“Autonomy is critical to our long-term goal of bringing delivery costs down to $1, and these new capabilities will help us move faster,” added Dr. Ali Kashani.
Anand Gopalan, CEO of Vayu Robotics, said, “We are thrilled to join the Serve team and apply our AI foundation model technology, talent and expertise to accelerating the development of their autonomous delivery platform.”
“Serve is differentiated by unmatched operational depth, a proven ability to deploy robots at scale, and a relentless focus on driving down cost per delivery through autonomy. Combined with a strong balance sheet and a bold, clear-eyed vision, Serve is uniquely positioned to lead the future of last-mile logistics.
“We’re proud and excited to be building that future together.”
Vinod Khosla, Founder of Khosla Ventures, said, “AI models are driving a new class of robotics across a range of industries. We invested early in Vayu because last-mile delivery stood out as one of the applications where autonomous delivery robots could create immense value.”
“Today’s acquisition combines Vayu’s technological breakthroughs with Serve’s large footprint to accelerate faster, safer and more cost-effective delivery.”
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