boAt has partnered with semiconductor startup HrdWyr for the launch of the HrdWyr Indus 1011, a fully indigenously designed, high-volume, branded chip. The initiative also received support from Tata Electronics for assembly, packaging, and testing, highlighting a growing capacity for domestic innovation across the semiconductor value chain.
The launch of the Indus 1011 is notable for boAt’s decision to partner with a homegrown startup for its core chipset. This marks a shift for boAt, which has previously collaborated with international players, and makes it the first Indian audio wearables brand to extend this level of support to a domestic partner.
The collaboration has led to the creation of a high-volume chip designed by HrdWyr, which incorporates advancements in intelligent battery management. The chip is scheduled to be integrated into boAt’s premium TWS (True Wireless Stereo) earbuds’ charging cases, with a planned debut in early 2026. The project demonstrates the potential for Indian consumer brands to act as catalysts for semiconductor-level innovation and localization.
The partnership between boAt and HrdWyr is described as a novel model for India. In this collaboration, boAt provided insights into consumer needs and market demands, while HrdWyr translated these requirements into chip features, developing new intellectual properties focused on low-power consumption, performance, and reliability. This positions boAt as a lead customer that provided a platform for a young Indian semiconductor startup to innovate at scale.
The domestic assembly, packaging, and testing of the chip, facilitated by Tata Electronics, ensure that the entire process—from design and IP creation to packaging—has been executed within India.
This aligns with the Government of India’s vision for “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India), and contributes to broader initiatives such as Make in India, Digital India, and the India Semiconductor Mission.
This collaboration is being viewed as a significant proof point for India’s ambitions in the semiconductor sector, setting a new precedent for customer-startup partnerships and advancing the country’s self-reliance in deep tech.
Regarding the announcement, Sameer Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, boAt, said:
boAt has consistently backed the Make in India vision. We have always believed in pushing the boundaries of innovation to deliver world-class products. By taking the first-mover step to collaborate with HrdWyr at the semiconductor level, we are demonstrating that India’s consumer brands can be ecosystem enablers. We are proud to show that true product differentiation comes from innovation at the chip level, and this can be achieved right here in India.
Ramamurthy Sivakumar, Co-founder and CEO, HrdWyr, added:
Semiconductors and AI are the foundation of all modern economies. Strategic autonomy in semiconductor innovation and supply chain is an imperative for large economies like India. Fabless product companies like HrdWyr are critical to achieving this goal, eventually taking Indian innovation to the world. This milestone proves that India can innovate at the deepest levels of technology – semiconductor product design and IP creation. With boAt’s bold trust in a homegrown chip and Tata Electronics’ manufacturing capabilities, we are showing that India’s semiconductor ecosystem is ready for global scale.