The Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz (HRS), part of the $150 million the Hi-Tech Group, is banking heavily on its suite of smart solutions for the automotive and other manufacturing sectors. Floated in 2004 by Mr. Anuj Kapuria, the company has the rare distinction of being the only Indian automated guided vehicles (AGV) solution provider that has helped the manufacturing sectors (including automotive) to increase their productivity multifold and also work in a clean and pollution-free environment. HRS is India’s first mobile robotics company with over 15 patents and two major divisions – Industrial Robotics clubbing both automated guided vehicles and industrial automation arms, and Defence Robotics.
In order to get a broader picture of the company and smart solutions, MOTORINDIA caught up with Mr. Anuj Kapuria, Managing Director of The Hi-Tech Robotics Systemz. The young and dynamic MD stated: “I came back to India (from the US) and floated The Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz at the close of 2004. The entrepreneurial bug was very much in me for a long time. Robotics is my passion and when ‘Passion’ meets ‘Work’, then the magic happens. Ours is a robotics and artificial intelligence company engaged in developing state-of-the-art technologies to bring in effective and efficient robotics for mass utility. HRS also helps develop technologies that can bring advanced levels of artificial intelligence to a number of products and services already in use. It is almost a decade now, and the journey has been pretty wonderful for us. During the formative years, we were solely focusing on technology and have filed a lot of patents (15) for our products. We also trained people to upgrade their skills to operate and build our product lines. We are working on core R&D because of our technology in our product lines which cover a gamut of mobile robotics, computer vision, artificial intelligence, etc., which are patented. We continue to patent our technologies which are a big pillar of our growth strategies as well.”
It has to be mentioned here that Mr. Anuj Kapuria graduated with a Masters Degree in Robotics from Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Pittsburgh P.A., after completing his Bachelors in Robotics and Automated Manufacture Engineering from the School of Engineering, University of Sussex. He then worked as a researcher in CMU, successfully executing projects in 3D Object Recognition, Autonomous Vehicles, Terrain Mapping and Face Recognition. He has also been a part of several US Defense projects.
“I was mostly into mobile robotics where autonomous vehicles are a large part of it. Various sensors and artificial intelligence make sure those robots are able to make artificial intelligence and work without human intervention,” stated Mr. Kapuria, adding: “We work on two main business lines, out of which one is Defence Robotics and the other one is Industrial Robotics. For both the divisions (of HRS) we focus largely on mobile robotics or articulated. For the defence sector, we have created a lot of products like ordinance disposal for ordinance work and robots for counter terrorism work. Our mission with regard to defence robotics is to remove the humans from harm’s way (in India). We have delivered more than 100 robots to the Army. We work very closely with the DRDOs wherein we are developing very sophisticated robotics for protecting our forces and making sure their effectiveness goes higher. That’s where the hi-end technologies come in. What we do is filter out technologies which are at a nascent stage and are evolved enough to be used for industrial applications. We can produce 30-50 robots a month. Close to 200 people are employed in our in-house manufacturing facility.”
Shedding some light on its presence in the automotive industry, he shared: “One of the biggest game-changers for us is ‘Mobile Robotics’ which is in the form of futuristic AGVs. Our robots are leagues ahead as they are equipped with intelligent features and are much more modular. Some defence-specific products are also getting trickled down here. It is powered by a generously dimensioned battery and can be used for the automated transfer of materials and products within manufacturing facilities providing 24/7 operation with minimal human intervention. Right now, most of the assembly processes are done on conveyors, no matter whether they are vehicle manufacturers, engine makers or transmission manufacturers. So we are creating a disruption with our AGV solutions or mobile robots which remove conveyors and can do assembly on these mobile robots. We call them mobile assembly stations.”
It is to be mentioned that HRS’ automated guided vehicles are indigenous mobile robots used on the factory floor for automatic and intelligent material movement without any human intervention. HRSL AGVs have the largest marketshare in India and are currently used by leading OEMs like Ford Motors, Volvo-Eicher Commercial Vehicles, TVS, John Deere, among others.
Citing a recent example, Mr. Kapuria observed: “Volvo Eicher is using this for its Pithampur plant. More than 25 of our assembly stations are used there. Their entire assembly line is using these robots. These are mainly customized according to our clients’ requirements. Right now more than 100 such products have been delivered to our clients. This product was launched in 2010, and we churn out 20-25 units per month. The installed capacity is 100 units per annum.”
Another smart solution which HRS is upbeat about is ‘Lean manufacturing Flow System’ which serves the needs of Tier-1 auto component manufacturers. It also provides turnkey solutions for our clients’ assembly lines, apart from doing system integration for material handling, welding, etc. Most of its products are locally made though it is sensors from Japan, Germany, the US and other developed markets.
Talking specifically about the CV industry, Mr. Kapuria noted: “‘Mobile Robot’ as a technology and its sub-systems are standardized. So we can take the locomotion system, artificial intelligence system and the sensing system and put them together on any chassis and make it a mobile robot. For commercial vehicles, we have high-load capacity for mobile robots and are specifically catering to commercial vehicles. The only difference between the CV and PV products is that the former is having a higher load capacity.”
On the future business outlook, Mr. Kapuria affirmed: “At present both the divisions are contributing equally well, but going forward we are expecting an unprecedented growth from the industrial automation segment. Both the divisions will grow phenomenally. We are now also focusing on customer domains. We are going to be rolling out warehousing and manufacturing solutions. Incidentally, the automotive industry is a unique one which requires both. It is a subset of Industrial Automation Divison.”
Going forward, The Hi-Tech Robotic Systemz is also looking to export its products to different countries. “We will be foraying into the international markets from next year. We have been selected as one of the mobile robots manufacturers for Volvo globally. Of the 10 players globally, we are among the three selected. The tests are still going on. To further our aim to go global, we will be opening soon a regional office in Europe and the US. We are also planning to set up a facility in Europe or the US.”
The decade-old company which will be investing around Rs. 100 crores for both organic and inorganic growth, is confident of doubling its turnover to Rs. 100 crores in the industrial space and clocking Rs. 250 crores on a consolidated basis (including, defence space).
“We have a stated vision, and that is to have made-in-HRS smart robots and have its influence in every sphere of one’s life,” signed off Mr. Kapuria.