Milind Padole, Founder of ARAPL RaaS Private Limited, speaks with EFY’s Nitisha Dubey about the company’s innovations in building robotics, automated parking systems, and warehouse robotics. He details their impact across the automotive, real estate, and third-party logistics sectors and offers insights into their workforce and internship programmes.
Q. Could you tell us about the key operations of ARAPL?
A. Affordable Robotic & Automation Ltd (ARAPL) operates in three key verticals: building robotics, automated parking, and warehouse robotics. We design and manufacture robotic plants for the automotive industry, which includes cars, bikes, and three-wheelers. We also work in automated parking systems, catering mostly to real estate developers, especially in markets like Mumbai. Our third vertical focuses on warehouse robots, primarily serving 3PLs (third-party logistics) such as Amazon and Flipkart. We provide end-to-end solutions, including both hardware and software.
Q. Does ARAPL manufacture its hardware?
A. Yes, we make everything in-house. A robot generally consists of motors, sensors, controllers, and sometimes a vision system. We manufacture our controllers for the robots, which can be used for autonomous electric vehicles like those we deploy in warehouses. We are also open to supplying these controllers to other companies that need them for their robotics systems.
Q. Could you elaborate on your automotive vertical?
A. In the automotive vertical, we provide robotic automation solutions to OEMs and their suppliers. This includes designing and manufacturing complete automation lines for car and bike production. We serve companies like Tata and Fiat, providing efficient end-to-end solutions for vehicle manufacturing.
Q. What role does ARAPL play in automated parking solutions?
A. We offer solutions for multi-level automated parking, especially in space-constrained cities like Mumbai. We design and manufacture complete systems that maximise parking space, enabling multiple cars to be parked in a smaller footprint.
Q. Can you explain the benefits of your warehouse robots?
A. Our warehouse robots are autonomous electric vehicles equipped with motors, controllers, and navigation systems. We integrate these robots with the customer’s ERP system, making the fulfilment process efficient and seamless. One major differentiator for us is the advanced AI we have developed, which helps optimise the path and movement of robots, reducing the required number of robots by 30% compared to our Chinese counterparts.
Q. How do autonomous material-handling vehicles improve efficiency in warehouses?
A. We are focused on material-handling vehicles, such as autonomous forklifts, pallet trucks, and AGVs (autonomous guided vehicles). These electric, driverless vehicles transport goods from one location to another within factories and warehouses.
Q. What sets ARAPL apart from competitors in the market?
A. One of our key differentiators is our innovation in algorithms and AI. Our solutions require fewer robots to perform tasks more efficiently, resulting in cost savings. We have collaborated with experts from institutions like IIM Ahmedabad, such as Mr Debjit Roy, to develop these unique algorithms.
Q. Who is your target audience across different verticals?
A. In the automotive vertical, we cater to domestic OEMs and tier-one suppliers. Our clients in the real estate vertical include builders and developers, mostly in smart cities. In the warehouse robotics vertical, we primarily export to international markets and work with large e-commerce players like Amazon and Flipkart.
Q. What process do you follow when working with automotive OEMs?
A. We have dedicated teams for each automotive client. For example, we have a specific team for Tata, another for Mahindra, and so on. This structure helps us maintain confidentiality and ensures our teams understand the exact requirements of each OEM.
Q. How do you manage payment cycles with your clients?
A. Payment cycles are typically fixed and standardised across the automotive industry. These terms are non-negotiable but reliable. OEMs usually pay within a set period, and since banks often back these systems, there are no significant concerns regarding timely payments.
Q. Where in India do you currently operate?
A. We operate across India, wherever automotive plants are located. Our primary facilities are in Pune, with satellite offices in Faridabad and Mumbai. We also have offices in the United States on both the East and West coasts.
Q. Could you tell us about your manufacturing facilities?
A. We have four manufacturing plants in Hadapsar, Pune, with a total area of about 250,000 square feet. We are building our fifth plant, which will focus on manufacturing autonomous material-handling vehicles. Our facilities are equipped with advanced machinery, including laser cutting, CNC bending, and portable CMM inspection machines.
Q. Are there any challenges in the warehouse robotics sector?
A. One of the main challenges is the lack of a mature ecosystem in India compared to countries like China, where components like motors and sensors are readily available. This drives up production costs in India. However, we are working to bring more production in-house to compete better with international markets.
Q. How do you manage your workforce?
A. We currently have 500 employees and plan to grow that number to 1500 by 2027. We offer equity and retention bonuses to key team members, and our CEOs and senior management participate in our ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) to align their growth with the company’s performance.
Q. Do you offer internships or opportunities for young professionals?
A. Yes, we offer internships, and I mentor several young entrepreneurs. We want to encourage innovation and help develop the next generation of manufacturers and robotics experts.
Q. Are there any other plans or announcements?
A. We are working on expanding our presence in Europe, with plans to establish offices there in the next few months. This expansion will help us better serve international clients and tap into new markets.
Q. How does business differ between India and international markets like Europe?
A. The ecosystem in countries like those in Europe is much more mature. Components are readily available, and there is a strong industrial support system. India is catching up, but it will take time for us to develop a similar ecosystem. However, the future looks promising.
Q. What are your future growth plans?
A. We are expanding rapidly. By FY 2027, we plan to open a large facility on a 10 acre plot in Chakan along with the new Pune plant. We are also expanding internationally, with plans to set up operations in Europe within the next few months.
Q. How was ARAPL’s fiscal performance last year?
A. We have grown at a rate of 40% over the last two years, and we expect to maintain or exceed that trajectory in the coming years.
