Modern AI, built into the physical world.

Optara Labs is a mission-driven robotics and sensor company. We build AI-powered hardware that makes everyday life better — starting with the streets and neighborhoods around us.

Our Mission

We're a robotics and sensor company at heart, not another app company. Our work starts where the physical world and modern AI meet: cameras, sensors, and small devices that can see, measure, and understand their surroundings.

We're mission-motivated, not feature-motivated. Every product we build has to make a measurable, day-to-day difference — for a person, a household, or a community — not just demonstrate what AI can do.

We're early. Our first product is still a prototype backed by a provisional patent filing, and we're building in the open as we go.

Our Products

Trash Hotspot Detector

Provisional Patent Pending

A mobile, AI-powered sensor system that spots roadside litter as you drive or walk, and maps where trash accumulates over time — so cities and communities can see exactly where to focus cleanup efforts. The product name is still being finalized.

Road Hazard Detector

A mobile AI-powered sensor system that spots potholes and road-surface damage while driving, and maps where that damage accumulates across a road network over time — so public works crews know where to send repair crews first.

Campus & Venue Safety

An early-warning life-safety layer: an AI-assisted camera system for schools and large event venues that watches for a visible weapon and immediately alerts on-site security and staff — turning the seconds after a threat appears into an early warning instead of relying on someone spotting it first.

AI Inspection Glasses

Wearable AI glasses that give inspectors a hands-free AI copilot — flagging PPE-compliance issues and hazards in view in real time, guiding them through a checklist by voice, and turning a walkthrough into a structured report automatically.

Founders

Manish

Co-Founder

Founder and Machine Learning Engineer with 10+ years of experience building production ML and AI systems. Currently building Optara Labs, focused on computer vision, edge AI, and intelligent systems for real-world infrastructure. University of Minnesota alumnus

Pankaj

Co-Founder

Founder of Pike Place AI, building responsible and practical AI systems. Previously held leadership roles at Shopify and Meta. Alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University and BITS Pilani.

Get in Touch

Interested in what we're building, want to collaborate, or have questions about our first product? We'd like to hear from you.