Bengaluru Startup’s Fully Indigenous Robo-Dog Wins PM Modi’s Praise
At the India AI Impact Expo 2026 in New Delhi, a homegrown deep-tech startup stole the spotlight with a remarkable innovation. General Autonomy, based in Bengaluru, unveiled a video of its fully indigenous quadruped robot named PARAM, which quickly went viral across social media platforms.
A Robot Built for Tough Terrain
PARAM is a four-legged robot specifically engineered to navigate challenging environments. In the viral clip, it is seen confidently walking through the chaotic traffic of Bengaluru, showcasing its real-world adaptability. The startup emphasizes that PARAM is not merely assembled in India but was entirely designed, developed, and built by Indian engineers from the ground up.
Impressive Technical Capabilities
This quadruped robot comes packed with features that make it suitable for industrial and field operations. Among its standout abilities:
- Climbing stairs up to 30 centimeters in height
- Performing a crab-walk movement for low-height entry points
- Automatic fall recovery system
- Autonomous navigation and target tracking
- Obstacle detection and avoidance
These capabilities position PARAM as a versatile tool for demanding applications where wheeled machines often fail.
Development Timeline and Continuous Upgrades
The startup revealed that the PARAM project has been in development for approximately seven months. However, the team benefited significantly from technical insights gained during an earlier humanoid robot project. Regular hardware and software upgrades are being implemented every two weeks, steadily enhancing the robot’s performance.
A Moment with the Prime Minister
During a Deep Tech Showcase event in January, founder Faraz Ahsan presented PARAM directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister not only praised the technology but also offered a lighthearted piece of advice—telling the team to take care of PARAM during Delhi’s harsh winter. He encouraged the startup to continue its technological innovations.
Global Context for Quadruped Robots
Quadruped robots, commonly known as robo-dogs, are rapidly gaining traction worldwide. Their potential applications span multiple sectors:
- Industrial plant inspections
- Dangerous search and rescue operations
- Defense logistics
- Research and surveillance
- Mining and oil-rig monitoring
These robots excel in hazardous and uneven terrains where traditional wheeled machinery becomes ineffective.
Underlying Technology
While General Autonomy has not fully disclosed PARAM’s technical architecture, typical quadruped systems rely on a combination of advanced technologies. These include LiDAR and vision-based mapping, AI-powered object detection, real-time motion control algorithms, dynamic stability models for balance, and onboard computing units. If PARAM operates on these standards, it represents a significant milestone for India’s deep-tech ecosystem.
What PARAM’s Launch Signals
The introduction of PARAM points to several encouraging trends for India’s technology landscape. Indigenous robotics capabilities are strengthening, with domestic solutions emerging for defense and industrial automation. The startup ecosystem is increasingly investing in deep-tech ventures, and the design-and-development-in-India model is gaining momentum.
Technology experts suggest that if PARAM secures large-scale industrial or defense contracts, it could reshape the Indian robotics market. The convergence of artificial intelligence and robotics may also help India solidify its position in the global technology competition.
