Yaanendriya is building the sensors that help robots know where they are

Yaanendriya, a Bengaluru-based startup, is developing sensors that enable robots and autonomous machines to understand their position and movement. These sensors are crucial for autonomous systems like drones, robots, and unmanned vehicles, which must know where they are before deciding where to go. Most of these sensors are currently imported into India, but Yaanendriya aims to build them domestically, offering solutions for both commercial and defense applications.

The company was officially incorporated in February 2025 after nearly two years of research and development. Led by a team of experienced professionals, including CEO and COO Vamshi Bharadwaj M V, COO Vyshak Y, Chief Data Officer Vijay HP, and Chief of Staff Aravind Thumbur, Yaanendriya has already developed various sensor products.

These include motion sensors called YDX, which are designed to fit inside drones, cars, and surgical robots; control systems called SynCore, which determine how unmanned vehicles should move; and location systems called YPS, which currently use satellite signals but are being expanded to radio-based positioning. The founders emphasize that their products are priced at roughly a quarter to a third of imported equivalents, making them more affordable.

Yaanendriya's systems are already being used in various applications, including surveillance drones for the Karnataka State Police, cricket simulators, surgical robots, satellite pointing systems, and underwater mapping equipment. The startup is also working on developing MEMS chips in India to reduce dependence on imported components, particularly those restricted for defense applications.

Additionally, the company is developing Perception XIO, which combines cameras, lidar, and radar to help machines operate in environments where GPS is unavailable, such as deep indoors and underwater.