Athira Sethu
Kochi, 3 July 2025
Zoho Corporation has acquired Asimov Robotics, a Kochi, Kerala-based startup. Asimov specializes in designing robots deployed in hospitals, industries, and research. The acquisition is in line with Zoho’s strategy to expand its research and development (R&D) activities in India, primarily in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).
The news was announced on July 2 at the inauguration of Zoho’s new R&D campus in Kottarakkara, Kerala. Zoho hopes this campus will be a hub for high-end research and innovation. The firm claims that it wants to create technology with local talent and make India more powerful in cutting-edge tech.
Asimov Robotics was established in 2012 by Jayakrishnan T. Asimov gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic when it developed robots to assist hospitals. Asimov has collaborated with numerous institutions and robotics experts over the years. They design different kinds of robots, such as humanoid robots and robots for application in healthcare, industry, and disaster areas.
By acquiring Asimov, Zoho is demonstrating that it is interested in expanding its business in the area of deep technology, particularly AI and robotics. The co-founder and CEO of Zoho, Shailesh Davey, explained that the company would like to utilize this new campus to establish solid research teams and collaborate with others in the sector. He explained that Zoho aims to solve complex tech challenges and promote innovation in rural India.
Zoho has also joined hands with the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to establish a “deep-tech product studio.” This would facilitate the collaboration of startups and researchers on cutting-edge technologies. Zoho will be the initial industry partner in the program. It will provide mentorship and assist teams, having them work on real-world challenges with deep tech.
In addition to this, Zoho has also said it will collaborate with numerous other companies and institutions on R&D initiatives. They are Boson Motors, Vipus Advanced Materials, vTitan, Zentron Labs, Verdant Telemetry, Netrasemi, Energy 24by7, and IIT-Bombay. The areas of work will range from clean energy to healthcare technology, semiconductors, and smart materials.
The function in Kottarakkara was graced by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu, US CEO of Zoho Tony Thomas, and others.
Zoho expects that this latest move will enhance India’s stature in upcoming technologies as well as nurture local talent.
