Boson Motors

Boson Motors, founded in 2017 by former Google software engineers Arun Seelam and Suri Bhupatiraju, is a Fremont, California-based manufacturer of electric light utility vehicles. Seelam's family background in the commercial vehicle and trucking business provided foundational insights into the operational challenges of traditional diesel fleets, which inspired the company's vision. The initial concept for an affordable, programmable autonomous electric vehicle emerged while the founders were at Google, leading to the development of a prototype in 2018 for a local grocery store seeking a sustainable vehicle solution.

The company targets the agriculture, dairy, and forestry industries, aiming to solve issues like workforce shortages and the high cost of operating diesel vehicles. Its business model involves the direct sale (B2B) of its electric vehicles and complementary products. While headquartered in the US, the company manufactures its vehicles in India, with a focus on export markets and plans to establish manufacturing in the United States. Boson Motors participated in the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator in 2020, which helped refine its product design to meet the specific needs of growers. The company has received seed funding from investors including Techstars, FalconX, and Zoho Corporation.

Boson Motors' flagship product is the LX40, a fully electric, autonomous-enabled light utility vehicle. The vehicle operates on an Android-based open-source platform, allowing developers to create custom applications for it. A key feature is its custom-built lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which offers a longer lifespan, enhanced safety, and lower maintenance compared to lead-acid or lithium-ion alternatives. The LX40 is designed for rugged, off-road terrain, featuring all-wheel drive, a payload capacity of up to 2,000 lbs, and a range of approximately 60 miles on a single charge. Its autonomous capabilities include a 'Follow Me' shadowing function and a 'record and play' feature for programming paths for tasks like crop spraying or inspection, without requiring specialized expertise. In addition to the vehicles, the company offers solar panel charging systems and electricity storage units, providing a comprehensive solution for off-grid operations.

Keywords: electric utility vehicle, AgTech, autonomous farming, light-duty electric truck, off-road EV, Arun Seelam, Suri Bhupatiraju, lithium iron phosphate battery, LFP, agricultural automation, Android-based vehicle, farm utility vehicle, sustainable agriculture, Techstars Farm to Fork, LX40, electric powertrain, forestry vehicle, dairy farm vehicle, robotic vehicle, smart electric vehicle