Surat-based Vicharak is Pioneering India’s Hardware Revolution
In the bustling city of Surat, Gujarat, an entrepreneurial journey is taking shape, spearheading a revolution in India’s hardware landscape. Akshar Vastarpara, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, stands at the helm of Vicharak, a deeptech hardware enterprise that challenges technological conventions.
After completing his degree in software engineering in 2016, Vastarpara ventured initially into software consultancy. However, it wasn’t long before the fascinating complexities of hardware captivated his attention, steering his focus towards edge computing solutions. Vicharak’s Surat headquarters is now a hub of cutting-edge technological innovation, predominantly leveraging field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to enhance computational processes—a boon for industries such as robotics, autonomous vehicles, and drones.
“Our products are designed for low-power, high-performance applications, perfectly fulfilling the growing demand for edge computing solutions,” Vastarpara shares. The company’s flagship creation, the Axon single-board computer (SBC), is poised to rival international contenders like Raspberry Pi, marking a pivotal achievement for an Indian entity in this sophisticated tech space.
Moreover, Vicharak’s innovation extends to Vaaman, an advanced edge computing board featuring a powerful six-core processor and specialized FPGA technology. This confluence of hardware facilitates rapid task execution and is perfectly tailored for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and real-time data processing.
The genesis of Vicharak can be traced back to Vastarpara’s early career, characterized by a profound curiosity for hardware systems. This curiosity birthed a consultancy aimed at bridging software and hardware solutions, eventually evolving into a robust team of over 30 engineers delivering more than 150 projects globally. Continuous in his quest for deeper technological advancement, Vastarpara pivoted towards establishing Vicharak, seeking to push technological boundaries further.
“Our mission is to develop faster and more efficient computing systems that redefine existing technological limitations,” he states. Vicharak’s versatile technology is continually securing its pivotal role in burgeoning sectors, offering high-speed, low-latency computing vital for manufacturing, robotics, and transportation industries.
By enabling data processing directly on devices, rather than relying on remote servers, Vicharak’s innovations significantly enhance the efficiency and functionality of autonomous systems. Vastarpara explains this as a strategic advantage in their offerings.
The Vaaman Single Board Computer (SBC) by Vicharak presents a compact, energy-efficient computing platform adaptable to a wide range of applications. It combines an RK3399 processor for superior performance with low power consumption and the Trion T120 FPGA processor, offering customizable hardware acceleration crucial for sustaining cutting-edge development.
Meanwhile, the Axon Board Computer, equipped with a Rockchip RK3588, serves diverse technical communities including software developers, researchers, hardware designers, AI and machine learning enthusiasts, and IoT implementers.
The innovative Chhavi sensor, heralded as one of the smallest fingerprint sensors globally, exemplifies Vicharak’s commitment to advanced security for personal devices like smartphones and laptops.
“Recognizing India’s untapped potential in hardware engineering, we are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of hardware engineers,” Vastarpara emphasizes. Through recruiting talented young graduates and providing extensive training, Vicharak is not just building products; it’s shaping futures.
Positioned against the backdrop of an increasing demand for computational power—especially with AI’s burgeoning prominence—Vicharak offers solutions that harness reconfigurable computing and parallel processing. This approach deftly overcomes traditional computing barriers, like the infamous ‘Von Neumann Bottleneck’, enhancing system efficiency and adaptability to modern software demands.
Despite the challenges inherent in the deeptech hardware arena, such as robust competition from giants like Nvidia Jetson and Raspberry Pi, Vicharak presses on with unparalleled dedication. “India’s hardware startups encounter significant hurdles, including limited infrastructure, scarce skilled manpower, and minimal funding,” Vastarpara acknowledges.
Nevertheless, Vicharak thrives on innovation, propelled by its 55-member research and development team—steadfast in securing the company’s competitive edge. The Surat-based startup has ambitious plans for international expansion, ultimately aiming to establish itself as a global leader in hardware technology.
To date, Vicharak has successfully raised Rs 2.5 crore, operating at an impressive Rs 100 crore valuation. Looking towards the future, Vastarpara envisions the hardware market surging to an estimated $290 billion worldwide by 2030.
“Our target sectors include robotics, autonomous cars, drones, and industrial machine vision industries. Our revolutionary reconfigurable edge computer is poised to lead this charge,” Vastarpara asserts.
With plans to launch a series of innovative products over the coming few years, Vicharak is actively seeking investments to scale operations and broaden its impact. “By 2025, we anticipate a significant global presence, showcasing our innovations at international exhibitions and collaborating with industry leaders,” Vastarpara concludes with optimistic foresight.
In conclusion, Vicharak is not just navigating the hardware revolution; it is leading it with pioneering solutions that promise to redefine computing paradigms worldwide.
