Octobotics Develops Robots for Hazardous Industrial Inspections

Indian deep-tech startup Octobotics is developing magnetic crawler robots designed for hazardous industrial inspection tasks. These robots aim to minimize the risk to human lives in environments such as oil and gas storage tanks and offshore structures, where workers often face exposure to toxic fumes and other dangers.

Founded in 2020 by Ishan Bhatnagar and Gulshan Kumar, the company was motivated by witnessing multiple fatalities during industrial inspections. Octobotics' robots can adhere to steel structures, traverse them, and utilize ultrasonic sensors to detect cracks, corrosion, and internal defects without altering the original structure. The data gathered is then compiled into inspection reports.

Octobotics recently secured ₹10 crore (approximately $1.2 million USD) in a seed funding round led by Navam Capital and BYT Capital. This capital will support the development of new products and market expansion, with initial target markets including India and the Middle East.

The company holds several patents for its technology, including the use of phased array ultrasonics for detailed imaging of internal material defects. While previously developing two prototypes, Octobotics is preparing to launch a new modular, lighter platform capable of performing both weld and general ultrasonic testing. These new models are slated for release in August 2025.