At the heart of every transformative startup lies a bold question. For Sumana Mandal, that question was: “What if robots could adapt to the real world, not just the perfect factory floor?” From building precision actuators, the silent muscles inside machines, to creating EnMac, India’s first AI-powered autonomous mobile robot designed for imperfect shop floors, her journey reflects both resilience and vision.
What began as a leap of faith with limited capital and a two-member team soon evolved into a company redefining automation for businesses of all sizes. Unlike traditional robots confined to rigid programming, EnMac functions like a proactive co-worker—learning, adapting, and growing with the business. Today, Enlightened Machines stands as a pioneer in “Physical AI”, enabling enterprises to digitize decision-making, boost productivity, and compete globally.
Sumana’s mission goes beyond building machines; it’s about democratizing robotics for MSMEs, proving that world-class automation doesn’t belong only to big corporations. From securing support through Karnataka’s Elevate program to working with industry giants like Mahindra Logistics, her vision is reshaping how India approaches intralogistics.
In this conversation, she shares her journey, challenges, and bold ambition to make robots that work for reality—not just for brochures.
In an exclusive conversation with Small Enterprise India, Sumana Mandal, Founder & CEO, and Abiramm BR , Co-Founder & CTO of EnlightenedMachines, share their inspiring journey from precision actuators to AI-powered autonomous robots.
They reveal how EnlightenedMachines is redefining intralogistics with Physical AI, making world-class robotics accessible to MSMEs and large industries alike.
Q) What inspired you to launch Enlightened Machines, and how has your vision evolved as you scaled from a single-product company to a solutions-driven robotics leader?
Our first product wasn’t a robot at all — it was precision actuators, the silent muscles inside machines. These were the building blocks of robotics, and we poured ourselves into them. But as we served more clients, something interesting happened: they began asking us for autonomous vehicles. That question became the spark for Enlightened Machines — an AI-powered mobile robot to address something much bigger than just moving things: the global shortage of skilled labour.
As we scaled, we realised an uncomfortable truth: building just a “robot” wasn’t enough. The world was already full of robots that could do one job in isolation. The real challenge was creating one that could take on the whole spectrum of material handling, seamlessly, intelligently, and affordably. That’s the vision we chase now.
Q) In the early stages of your startup, what were the critical obstacles—technological, operational, or strategic—that you overcame, and how did you navigate them successfully?
The early days were raw. Like every newborn startup, our biggest enemies were capital and manpower. We couldn’t afford a big team, but we had something money can’t buy, the ability to build everything ourselves. How? Abiramm was the mechanical brain and I was the electrical soul, and both of us spoke the same language of code.
Even before Make in India became a national slogan, we were going head-to-head with low-cost Chinese imports. It was risky, but our design approach was always unconventional, questioning “why not?” instead of just “how?”. That difference kept us in the game. But scaling? That was our wall. The kind of wall that looks too high until you decide to climb it anyway. That’s when we took a leap of faith with Enlightened Machines.
We applied for government grants, and Karnataka’s Elevate program saw our vision. Winning ₹25 lakhs in funding didn’t just help us financially, it validated that what we were building mattered. Today, we can proudly say: we manufacture in India, delivering technology that rivals the best in the world, at a price even small businesses can afford.
Q) Can you explain how Enlightened Machines (EnMac), your flagship mobile robot with ASRS capabilities, differs from traditional AMRs or AGVs in terms of adaptability and scalability?
I love this question because it’s where we break away from the pack. Traditional AGVs and AMRs are like factory interns, they’re good at doing one thing if you tell them exactly how to do it. They follow pre-programmed paths, and when something unexpected happens, they stop and wait for instructions.
EnMac, on the other hand, is like hiring a trained, proactive employee. It’s powered by an AI interaction agent, so anyone, even without technical skills, can give it instructions in natural language. It’s not locked into one role. Today it might be transporting goods; tomorrow it could be doing storage and retrieval, counting inventory, inspecting quality, picking, and sorting. Businesses can start with a basic version and upgrade capabilities as they grow, instead of replacing hardware. Think of it as a single hire that keeps learning new skills without asking for a raise.
Q) What key benefits do SMEs report after implementing your AI-powered intralogistics solutions? Could you share a brief case study that highlights efficiency gains or cost savings?
While we have worked with more than 30 MSMEs, most of our intralogistics deployments are with large industries. But let me share a story of an SME client we recently worked with, because it perfectly captures why EnMac exists.
We received an enquiry for an autonomous mobile robot to move 500 kg loads at an automotive parts manufacturer. By the time we called back, the plant head’s tone was cold. We thought, “Okay, they’ve probably already bought an AMR from someone else.” But when I probed further, I learned the real reason, and it was far more interesting. He was frustrated. Every robotics supplier he’d spoken to had politely walked away after seeing his facility. The floor wasn’t perfectly smooth, the layout was chaotic, and the operations were unpredictable. In other words, not the ‘shiny new factory’ robots are usually built for.
And this was my moment. I told him, “That’s exactly why we exist, to work where others won’t.” We scheduled a plant visit immediately. After assessing, we told him honestly: “Yes, our EnMac will work here, and not just work, but potentially increase your productivity by up to 5x from day one.” The look on his face was priceless, equal parts relief and disbelief. We’re now in the final stages of closing that deal. And that’s what SMEs love most about us: we don’t sell them a robot, we give them a robot that works for their reality, not just the perfect brochure scenario.
Q) Your recent collaboration with Mahindra Logistics was described as a shift toward a solutions-oriented ethos. What did that partnership mean for product development and market validation?
Working with Mahindra Logistics was like taking our robot out of the lab and dropping it into the middle of a busy shop floor. Until then, EnMac was “just” an autonomous vehicle. When they gave us a use case called cycle count, we honestly had no idea what that meant. We visited four warehouses just to understand it. Cycle count, we learned, was inventory auditing, something that seemed straightforward but was one of their biggest operational headaches.
At first, we hesitated. How do you count every item accurately in a chaotic, real-world warehouse? But their team believed in us. So, we built, tested, and deployed. The results? EnMac performed cycle counts 3x faster and with near 100% accuracy, eliminating one of their most persistent bottlenecks. That project didn’t just solve their problem; it expanded our vision. Today, our Physical AI can do seven different core functions. And we credit Mahindra Logistics for pushing us to lay that foundation.
Q) How do you ensure that your physical AI systems remain cost-effective and easy to integrate—especially for SMEs that may lack infrastructure readiness?
We designed EnMac to be a plug-and-play co-worker. You don’t have to rip out your existing systems or change your factory layout. Give it a wireless network, and it can work in a team with other EnMac units. It talks to PLCs on assembly lines, to CNC machine controllers, and to your existing ERP systems, bringing all that scattered operational data into one live dashboard.
That means you don’t just automate movements; you also digitize decision-making. For SMEs, this is game-changing. Suddenly, you can predict order patterns, machine failures, and market demand shifts, not guess them. Businesses using EnMac have seen growth spikes of up to 25x because they’re no longer reacting to problems; they’re anticipating them.
Q) What was your experience at SME‑StartX Bengaluru? How valuable were the curated One‑to‑One meetings in helping you connect with SME manufacturers?
SME-StartX was one of those rare events where the panel discussions felt less like “sessions” and more like shared problem-solving rooms. I got to address one of my favorite topics, breaking the myth that robots are only for big players. Most SMEs either buy flashy robots they can’t fully utilize, or rely on integrators who just stitch together off-the-shelf systems. What they rarely find is a robotics partner who can recommend the right robot, customize it, and stand by it.
SME-StartX gave us the chance to be that partner. The one-on-one meetings afterwards were powerful. We walked away with potential collaborations not just in India, but also in exports.
Q) Can you describe any memorable feedback or insights from those meetings that helped refine your product offering or go-to-market strategy?
Yes, one moment really stuck with me. During my session, someone asked me about the safety of our robots. I confidently explained all our safety layers… but he kept looking at me, unsatisfied. Finally, he said: “What certifications do you hold?” And I blanked. I couldn’t recall the exact names.
That was a wake-up call. When I got back, I studied what our competitors had — and realized most only had ISO process certifications. We had more, and ours were stronger. But because I wasn’t actively promoting them, we were leaving one of our biggest differentiators invisible. That day changed our marketing approach. Safety isn’t just compliance for us; it’s a core brand pillar. Now, it’s front and center in our presentations.
Q) Looking ahead, what opportunities do you see for scaling Enlightened Machines across sectors or geographies within India’s SME ecosystem?
The mindset shift is already happening: in India, robots are no longer seen as a luxury. SMEs know that to compete globally, they must increase output and quality without proportionally increasing manpower. That’s exactly where EnMac fits.
Right now, we serve the North (UP, Rajasthan, Haryana) and the South (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana) from our bases in Bengaluru and Gurugram. Our next step is expansion into the East (Kolkata, Guwahati, Odisha) and West (Gujarat, Maharashtra).
Sector-wise, we’ve already worked in textiles, wood, healthcare, automotive, tyre, electronics, and e-commerce. Next, we’re targeting food, pharma, and, with India’s semiconductor push, electronics manufacturing at a new scale. And for SMEs worried about capital expenditure, we’ve introduced leasing models, making automation possible from day one.
Q) What advice would you offer to early-stage robotics or AI startups looking to serve SMEs—particularly regarding achieving product-market fit and meaningful impact?
Don’t build in a bubble. Your lab may be perfect, but factories, warehouses, and shop floors are beautifully imperfect. That’s where your product will face its real exam. Get it out there. Deploy early, even if it’s rough. Let real operators poke, prod, and stress-test it. Every complaint you hear is a gift; it’s your fastest path to building something that survives in the wild.
And one more thing: fundraising is fine, in fact, it can speed up development. But without customers, funds will evaporate in no time, and there won’t be a business to run. Your investors may buy into your vision, but it’s your customers who keep the lights on. Focus on them first.
