As robotics education shifts toward hands-on learning, integrated hardware-and-software platforms are becoming essential. Sandeep Patil from Yudu Robotics and RedNerds discusses with EFY’s Nidhi Agarwal and Saba Aafreen Yudu’s learning ecosystem, the engineering behind its humanoid robot Zing, and the in-house platforms that power its products.
Q. How did the idea of Yudu Robotics originate, and what was the vision behind it?
A. Yudu stands for ‘You Do’, as in, do it yourself. The idea grew from a simple observation: our education system, including schools and engineering programmes, lacks meaningful hands-on learning. While technologies like robotics and electronics may seem complex, real learning happens when students start small and build things themselves. Yudu was created to bring that practical, do-it-yourself approach to robotics and electronics education through an integrated combination of hardware, curriculum, and software. As we see it, meaningful learning happens when you start small and build through hands-on experience.
Q. When exactly was the company established?
A. We started in 2012 as BiBox Labs, an experiential learning company working directly with schools in robotics and electronics. In 2022, post-COVID, we decided to shut down BiBox Labs and rethink the model. In 2023, we relaunched as two brands under Evobi Automations. Yudu Robotics became our product brand, focused on learning products in robotics and electronics through a partner-led ecosystem. RedNerds became our original design manufacturer (ODM) and contract manufacturing brand, created in response to growing demand from clients who wanted us to design and manufacture products for them.
Q. How does Yudu differentiate itself in the competitive educational robotics market?
A. Four factors set us apart. First, our hardware is designed and manufactured in India rather than imported and rebranded. Second, every product undergoes extensive research and development (R&D). Third, our products are integrated into a structured learning journey rather than being standalone kits. Finally, the entire product range operates within a unified software ecosystem, allowing students and teachers to work seamlessly across products and learning stages.
Q. How does Yudu help students bridge the gap between theory and real-world engineering in robotics and electronics?
A. Traditional education is largely focused on tests rather than experimentation. In robotics and electronics, theory alone is not enough. Students learn best when they build, experiment, and solve problems themselves. Yudu introduces concepts as learners actively create projects, making learning more intuitive and practical. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) and accessible content have also made it easier for students to learn independently. Ultimately, curiosity and hands-on experience are what help learners become capable engineers.
Q. How does Yudu help students tackle the hands-on integration challenges missing in traditional robotics education?
A. Robotics brings together mechanical systems, electronics, firmware, and software. Traditional education rarely gives students the opportunity to integrate these elements into a functioning system. At Yudu, learners work directly with these components, helping them understand how each layer contributes to the final product.
Q. At what age or grade should students start hands-on robotics education?
A. Robotics can be introduced at any age, provided the experience matches the learner’s stage of development. For preschoolers, robotics-based activities can be playful, tactile, and screen-free. Primary school students begin exploring cause-and-effect relationships through simple experimentation. In middle school, curiosity drives deeper exploration and logical thinking. By high school, students are ready to connect practical experience with more advanced engineering concepts.
We view robotics education as a continuous journey rather than something that begins at a specific age. Early exposure helps, but there is a meaningful entry point at every stage.
Q. Can beginners start with Yudu kits without prior electronics knowledge?
A. Absolutely. There are no prerequisites. Beginners can start from scratch and learn concepts through guided hands-on experiments. Some entry-level products are available online for self-learning, while our larger programmes are delivered through our partner network, which provides training, support, and school engagement. Yudu itself does not work directly with schools.
Q. How do your robotic kits help students build hands-on skills and curiosity in robotics and coding?
A. The primary goal is to make robotics approachable. Students begin by controlling motors and sensors using block-based coding, allowing them to gain confidence without immediately writing code. As their curiosity grows, they naturally progress towards programming and understanding the underlying hardware. Over time, they develop practical knowledge, confidence, and an understanding of the core principles that underpin all robotic systems.
Q. How does Yudu’s product line and curriculum guide students from basic electronics to advanced robotics and programming?
A. Our products fall into two categories. Academic lab kits are designed for institutions and include curriculum integration, reusability, and assessment support. Retail kits are intended for individual learners exploring independently. Within the academic category, we offer Electronics, Mechanics, Coding, Robotics, AI, Animatronics, Aero, and Rapid Prototyping series, each tailored to specific skills and age groups. Products range from ₹500 to ₹80,000, supporting learners from introductory exploration to advanced projects. Across the entire range, the focus remains on structured progression, curriculum alignment, and a unified software ecosystem that supports students as they advance.
Q. Can you explain Zing’s engineering design, including its mobility, sensors, and durability features?
A. Zing is part of our Animatronics series and is available in two versions: Zing Standard and Zing AI. Both feature 17 degrees of freedom and an aluminium casing for durability. Zing Standard can perform dance routines, play interactive audio, respond to inputs, and support external accessories. Zing AI builds on this foundation with vision, speech processing, and large language model (LLM) integration. Designed as an interactive learning platform, it supports far more sophisticated interactions than predefined actions alone. We continue to expand the capabilities of both Zing and the wider Animatronics range.
Q. Can you work us through the software architecture for Zing?
A. The two versions use different architectures. Zing Standard runs on a single-core architecture, while Zing AI uses a dual-core architecture to support additional processing requirements. PLODE provides two operating modes. In Edge Mode, Zing operates entirely offline using onboard AI. In Cloud Connected Mode, internet connectivity enables richer interactions, expanded AI functionality, and deeper integrations. Safety controls are built into the operating layer, while programming, custom commands, and firmware updates are all managed through PLODE.
Q. What AI capabilities does Zing currently have and what are the plans for future versions?
A. Zing Standard already offers strong onboard functionality. Zing AI, now nearing production, includes vision, speech processing, and LLM integration. Our next focus is improving autonomous capability, particularly gait control and recovery from a wider range of physical situations, which will enhance real-world robustness.
Q. Can Zing walk autonomously or is it fully controlled via the app?
A. Zing can operate autonomously using its onboard sensors. However, it does not yet have the advanced balance recovery capabilities found in larger humanoid robots. That functionality is currently under development.
Q. What were the toughest challenges in integrating hardware, software, and AI in Zing, and how did you overcome them?
A. Integrating hardware, electronics, firmware, and software into a single reliable system is the biggest challenge. Each layer introduces its own technical complexities, from thermal management and electrical integration to firmware stability and software performance. Our approach is straightforward: identify the root cause of each issue, solve it systematically, and keep iterating. Reliable products are built through disciplined engineering and continuous refinement.
Q. Which microcontrollers or processors do you prefer for robotics and why?
A. We work with several microcontroller families, including Microchip, TI, and Espressif. There is no universal choice. Selection depends on factors such as the target age group, connectivity requirements, processing power, cost, application complexity, toolchain availability, and reprogrammability. For Internet of Things (IoT) applications, Espressif is often preferred because of its strong ecosystem and connectivity features, but every product is evaluated on its own requirements.
Q. How does Yudu optimise power consumption in its robotic systems?
A. We design around worst-case operating conditions from the outset. Where limitations exist, we incorporate protection and power-management features such as thermal management, automatic shutdown, and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) devices. This ensures the system remains reliable under real-world conditions. For battery-powered products, worst-case planning is especially important. In Zing, factors such as motor count, load conditions, and thermal behaviour are mapped in advance, and the power architecture is designed accordingly.
Q. How do your robots handle power, sensor integration, and real-time data differently from standard Arduino kits?
A. The key difference is integration. Rather than treating hardware and software separately, we have built a unified ecosystem through PLODE. Sensor data, firmware calibration, updates, and programming are all managed within a single platform, reducing configuration complexity for users. The ecosystem supports Android, iOS, and cloud-based environments, with programming available through universal serial bus (USB) and Bluetooth connectivity. Compatibility across products also allows multiple kits to work together, creating a more connected learning experience than typical off-the-shelf platforms.
Q. Is Yudu’s drag-and-drop programming similar to Scratch, and who can access the software?
A. PLODE is a ground-up software ecosystem. While it draws inspiration from platforms such as Scratch, Blockly, LabVIEW, and Arduino-based tools, its scope is much broader. Beyond programming, PLODE includes device management, app integration, AI interfaces, sensor visualisation, and multiple programming environments. It offers five programming levels, ranging from visual interfaces to script-based coding, allowing learners to progress gradually from beginner to advanced stages. The platform works on touch-based and desktop devices and is accessible on Android, iOS, and cloud-based platforms.
Q. Are all hardware, software, and AI components of Yudu robots developed in-house?
A. From product design and engineering to printed circuit board (PCB) development, embedded systems, software, and manufacturing, most of the work is done in-house. While some components are sourced externally, the vast majority of our products are conceived, designed, built, and validated within Evobi.
Q. How does Yudu use iterative prototyping and learning from failures in product development?
A. Iterative prototyping is central to our engineering process. Rather than avoiding failure, we focus on understanding it, identifying root causes, and improving each subsystem step by step. For example, an automated teller machine (ATM) router project at RedNerds underwent four iterations over 18 months, with lessons learned across processing, connectivity, and integration. The same iterative approach applies across all our product development efforts.
Q. What are the biggest hardware challenges in robotics and how do you overcome them?
A. The biggest challenge is turning a computer-aided design (CAD) model into a reliable physical product. A design may look correct in software, but real-world implementation often requires extensive refinement. When problems arise, we systematically analyse whether they stem from mechanical design, fabrication, inverse kinematics, or firmware. Success comes through disciplined testing and repeated iteration.
Q. How does Yudu test and validate safety for its educational robots?
A. Testing takes place at multiple levels, from electronics validation to full-system verification. For products such as Zing, we conduct extensive safety testing covering batteries, electronics, stability, and potential user hazards. Products are released only after meeting strict internal standards.
Where applicable, products also comply with relevant certifications, including Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification. Some products have undergone as many as 18 design iterations before reaching the market, reflecting our emphasis on reliability and safety.
Q. What is your revenue model and how does it balance profitability with education and R&D?
A. Yudu generates revenue through product distribution via its partner network, while RedNerds contributes through original design manufacturer (ODM) services and contract manufacturing. Together, these revenue streams support ongoing operations, research and development (R&D), and new product creation.
Q. How is Yudu funding its hardware prototyping and product development efforts?
A. We are operationally profitable and have also raised external funding. Our investors share a long-term perspective, supporting both educational impact and the development of engineering products built from the ground up.
Q. Is Yudu primarily a B2B company or do you also sell directly to consumers?
A. We are primarily a business-to-business (B2B) company. Schools and institutions are served through our partner network rather than directly. We do offer a limited range of retail kits for individual customers, but partner-led distribution remains our core model.
Q. Is Yudu looking for distributors or channel partners, and what qualities do you seek in them?
A. Yes. We look for partners with strong market understanding, good business judgement, and the ability to build relationships in their regions. Our role is to design, manufacture, and support the products; our partners focus on developing the market.
Q. Which emerging technologies do you see shaping the future of robotics?
A. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming robotics and hardware development. Smaller teams can now achieve results that previously required far greater resources, and that trend will continue. The convergence of AI and robotics will shape the next generation of products, making this an exciting period for innovation in the field.
