Top robots stole the show at India AI Summit: From robo-dogs to factory-floor humanoids, here's a list

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, artificial intelligence wasn't just something running in the cloud—it was walking, rolling, and even climbing stairs at Bharat Mandapam.

While some headlines focused on a controversy involving a Chinese-made robot being misrepresented, the expo floor told a different and far more inspiring story: Indian innovation is catching up, fast.

From robot dogs built entirely in Bengaluru to humanoids designed for factory floors, the five-day event turned into a live showcase of how AI is stepping into the real world. With over 20 Heads of State and 500 global AI leaders in attendance, the summit—anchored on the pillars of People, Planet, and Progress—demonstrated that India's robotics story is no longer just about consuming technology, but creating it .

Here's a closer look at the five most interesting robots that grabbed attention.

1. Param: The Made-in-India Robot Dog That Stole the Show

Bengaluru-based startup General Autonomy introduced Param, a four-legged robot dog developed entirely by Indian engineers without relying on imported assemblies . Built in just seven months, Param is capable of autonomous navigation, obstacle detection, climbing stairs up to 30 centimetres high, and even automated fall recovery .

What makes Param truly special is its ability to "crab walk" sideways to navigate tight spaces. The robot was recently presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a Startup India showcase, where the Prime Minister reportedly advised the founder to take care of the robot during Delhi's winter . Unlike wheeled robots, Param handles uneven ground with ease, making it ideal for factory inspections, warehouses, and construction sites where human access may be risky.

2. Ottobots: Smart Delivery on Wheels

The Ottobots from Ottonomy aren't just concept robots—they're already working in American hospitals. These Level-4 autonomous delivery vehicles navigate complex environments including hospital corridors, elevators, sidewalks, and service roads without human intervention .

At Hancock Regional Hospital in Indiana, Ottobots are being used to transport medical samples and supplies across the campus, reducing thousands of manual transport steps daily . Powered by an AI-based navigation system that runs directly on the robot, they make real-time decisions without constant cloud connectivity. Their modular design means they can be adapted for warehouses, shopping centres, and quick-commerce—proving that Made-in-India robots can compete globally.

3. Puchu: The AI Assistant That Moves

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) showcased Puchu, an AI-powered robotic assistant that combines conversational AI with physical movement. Designed for structured environments like offices and enterprise campuses, Puchu can talk, respond to queries, and navigate spaces to assist visitors or support collaborative tasks .

The robot represents TCS's broader vision of enterprise integration, where AI assistants don't just answer questions from a screen but physically move through workspaces. Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran emphasized at the summit that Indian IT firms must position themselves as "enterprise integrators" rather than just technology vendors—and Puchu embodies that philosophy .

4. Elixis: A Humanoid Built for Industry

Noida-based Addverb Technologies presented Elixis, a humanoid robot aimed at industrial use. Equipped with LiDAR and depth cameras, Elixis understands its surroundings, plans tasks, navigates workplaces, and picks up objects using five-finger hands .

Addverb, which also showcased its robotic dog Trakr, demonstrated the humanoid at the Reliance Jio pavilion where it delighted visitors by handing out Pringles boxes . But beyond the novelty, Elixis serves a serious purpose: reducing human involvement in repetitive or hazardous tasks on factory floors. The robot reflects a growing trend of Indian manufacturers building both humanoid and quadruped systems for industrial automation.

5. Svan M2: Built for Tough Terrain

The Svan M2 quadruped robot comes from xTerra Robotics, incubated at IIT Kanpur. Designed specifically for inspection and surveillance, Svan M2 walks on uneven surfaces using advanced motors and sensors .

Unlike robots meant for polished indoor floors, Svan M2 is built for factories, industrial plants, and outdoor sites where safety is critical. Its ability to navigate rough terrain makes it valuable for defence applications, infrastructure monitoring, and search operations in challenging environments. The robot represents the deep-tech research emerging from India's premier academic institutions.

More than Just Demos

What stood out at Bharat Mandapam wasn't just the number of robots, but their focus on real-world use cases. These weren't futuristic concepts locked in labs—they were built for logistics, monitoring, factory work, and enterprise environments.

The contrast was stark: while Galgotias University faced embarrassment for displaying a Chinese Unitree robot as its own, startups like General Autonomy proved that genuine indigenous innovation is not only possible but thriving . As one industry observer noted, the controversy may have actually helped highlight the real achievements of Indian robotics firms.

With 88 nations adopting the New Delhi Declaration on AI governance and commitments to equitable access, the message from the summit is clear: AI now has wheels, legs, and hands—and India intends to build them .

Follow our technology coverage for more updates from the India AI Impact Summit and the growing ecosystem of deep-tech startups across the country.