Minus Zero

Minus Zero is a Bengaluru-based deeptech startup founded in 2021 by Gagandeep Reehal (Co-Founder, CEO & CTO) and Gursimran Kalra, headquartered at 3rd Floor, No. 240/A, 27th Main, 2nd Sector, HSR Layout, Bangalore, Karnataka, India 560102. The company has raised $1.77 million in funding from Chiratae Ventures and IIT Mandi.

Minus Zero develops a full-stack AI platform for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Driving (AD), specifically engineered for emerging markets like India where traffic is dense, unstructured, and unpredictable. The company's core technology is Nature-Inspired AI (NIA), a self-supervised learning approach that trains on large volumes of raw, unlabelled data — enabling the system to generalize to unstructured scenarios and behavioral anomalies without prior training exposure. This eliminates the need for expensive LiDAR sensors and high-definition (HD) maps.

The autonomous driving stack uses a vision-first approach with an array of six cameras (four on the sides, two front and rear). The platform delivers Level 5-capable autonomy and includes generative AI simulation tools, custom onboard software, and OTA update capability. The system has been successfully tested on complex Bengaluru streets, handling stray animals, pushcarts, two-wheelers, and narrow roads without lane markings.

Minus Zero's zPod was unveiled as India's first autonomous vehicle concept (a four-seater EV with no conventional driver controls), serving as a technology showcase. The company's commercial strategy positions the platform as software-as-service for OEM integration, with co-engineering pilot projects already underway with Ashok Leyland. The current autopilot system falls under 'Hands Off and Eyes On' (requiring a safety driver), with a roadmap toward full autonomy.