Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Perplexity's Free AI Subscription Boosts User Base in India Amid Revenue Growth
Perplexity has conducted a significant AI growth experiment by offering its premium service for free to customers of Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator. This initiative, which began in July 2025, allowed 360 million Airtel customers to access a 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription valued at approximately $200. As the first free subscriptions began to expire, the impact of this giveaway on user retention and revenue generation is becoming evident. The results of this strategy have been notable, with Perplexity recording 5.9 million app downloads in India during July 2025, marking a 625% increase from the previous month. Over the seven months the offer was available, the app achieved 56 million downloads, significantly surpassing the downloads from the prior seven-month period. Monthly active users peaked at 22 million in October, highlighting India's potential as a lucrative market for generative AI services despite challenges in converting users into paying customers. As the free subscription period ended, Perplexity experienced a sharp decline in downloads, falling to 3.3 million from February to July 2026. However, the number of monthly active users remained relatively stable, indicating that many users retained interest in the service. Notably, in-app purchase and subscription revenue increased by approximately 60% during the same period, suggesting that some users may be willing to pay for the premium service after experiencing it for free.
AI Apps Startups Airtel Perplexity
Microsoft warns of malicious Chrome extension impersonating "Perplexity."
Microsoft has identified and reported a malicious browser extension that masqueraded as an AI service, leading to its subsequent removal by Google. The company has urged users to verify the source and permissions of any extensions they install to protect themselves from potential threats. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of cybersecurity in the digital landscape, emphasizing the need for vigilance among users regarding the software they choose to use.
Improving Visibility for Robotics and Automation Companies in AI Search Platforms
Search behavior is evolving, with buyers of industrial robots and automation systems increasingly utilizing AI assistants like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. These platforms summarize information from various sources, leading to a predicted 25% decline in traditional search volume by 2026, according to Gartner. This shift underscores the importance of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and related practices, prompting businesses to invest in specialized tools. Peec AI is a notable GEO platform that helps brands measure their visibility across AI search experiences. It offers insights into citation performance and competitor analysis, with subscription plans starting at $95/month. Serving over 2,500 brands, Peec AI is particularly beneficial for B2B SaaS companies and robotics businesses looking to benchmark their AI visibility. LightSite AI Ltd. complements this by combining AI visibility monitoring with automated optimization, making it relevant for robotics manufacturers. Its tiered subscription starts at $129/month, and it employs a workflow that enhances AI discoverability. As AI assistants become more prevalent, companies in the robotics sector should consider these tools to maintain competitive visibility in search results.
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